LOUISVILLE, Ky. — For a second year, Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio celebrated District successes and named some needs for improvements in his State of the District speech.

Pollio lauded the JCPS academies, schools with concentrations based on student interest, and the Backpack of Success Skills program. He claimed the District has made improvements in other areas since a state audit required them to do so in 2017: "So, we've worked to establish the way every school should be providing instruction through systems that research-based and must occur in every school. That's tough, hard work to do across 155 schools," he said. 

As for shortcomings, Pollio said racial equity and student belonging need to be better, and should, in his proposal for a new school in the west end allow for more students to be able to choose whether they must travel outside of their communities to attend their school of choice. 

He turned to the shape of certain aging facilities when Pollio spoke of challenges at JCPS. 

"Quite frankly and candidly, I'm often embarrassed when I visit schools to see the facilities that we are sending our students to every day," he said. 

Pollio claims 28 schools are considered at the end of life because of the age of HVAC and roof "meaning any day, 28 schools we could have to close down because of the facility." 

He compared the rate at which JCPS can fund building new schools to that of other districts in Kentucky, like Fayette. There are several new schools in the smaller district. 

The difference, Pollio claims, is that citizens of other districts fund building and repairs to facilities in taxes at higher rates than Jefferson County citizens. He didn't quite pitch a tax bump, but perhaps implied it. 

"There hasn't even been a formal discussion about increased revenue for schools in many decades, until this winter," he said. 

"We have done all we can do with the money that we have. But clearly, if you look at what has happened in the other districts, the funding is different and it's more," said Board of Education Chair Diane Porter. 

Some parents said they'd be willing to pay a nickel tax for building improvements. 

"That shows us where our priorities are, and as a community it's not just about what the board is doing or what they're passing, it is about what we're willing to do and what we're willing to stand for to say this is not okay for our children," said parent Kennisha Fisher. 

"I have been to a lot of schools that are crumbling and many of the schools need a lot of work," said parent Bobbi Jo Kingery. 

In other announcements toward improving JCPS schools, Pollio suggested moving school start times back.