On Monday, Kentucky's Interim Commissioner for Education Wayne Lewis issued the results of a management audit of the Jefferson County Public Schools, along with his recommendation that the district be placed under state management. Since then I have received many calls, texts, and emails from citizens expressing their opinions about the recommendation. Due to the large volume of communication, I regret that I am not able to respond personally to each message. The Kentucky Board of Education's Executive Director is trying to respond to many of these messages on behalf of the entire board. For anyone who does not get a response, however, I'd like to offer the following information. This information is provided strictly on my own behalf as an individual board member, and not on behalf of KBE in general.
The full text of the executive summary of Dr. Lewis's report and recommendation was made available by Insider Louisville and can be read here. This includes his rationale for the recommendation for state management. Pages 14 and 15 of the document describe the Commissioner's recommendations regarding the role of JCPS Superintendent Marty Pollio and the JCPS board of education under state management, as well as provisions by which the district may be exited from state management status.
What happens next is directed by state law and regulation, specifically KRS 158.780, KRS 158.785, and 703 KAR 3:205. The district has 30 days to decide if it wants to request a hearing before the Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) to appeal the recommendation. If that happens, a public hearing will be scheduled at which time the full board will hear evidence and render a judgment by majority vote to accept or reject the Commissioner's recommendation. If the district does not request a hearing, KBE will still be required to approve or reject the Commissioner's recommendation by majority vote in an open meeting. Regardless, the decision is required under law to be based upon the facts presented to the Board.
I hope this information is helpful to citizens seeking information about this process and how it will unfold.
