LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Following an audit of Jefferson County Public Schools' (JCPS) management, Kentucky Commissioner of Education Jason Glass will not recommend state management or state assistance for the state's largest school district.

“Based upon the findings outlined in the Management Audit Report, I have determined that there is not a pattern of a significant lack of efficiency and effectiveness in the governance and administration of JCPS,” Glass said. "I commend Dr. Pollio, his team and the Jefferson County Board of Education for their dedication to the implementation of the corrective action plan and their dedication to building sustainable systems that will provide stability to the district and allow the district to move forward."

He said the district should “review the recommendations of the audit in detail and incorporate the recommendations into weekly cabinet meetings and the JCPS District Improvement Plan.”

In September, an audit team appointed by the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) started JCPS' management audit, under an August 2018 settlement agreement between the state and district and pursuant to KRS 158.785.

Glass said all requirements of the settlement agreement have been met based on what KDE's team found.

On Nov. 20, according to a press release from KDE, Glass notified JCPS Board of Education and Superintendent Marty Pollio that evidence from the audit doesn't indicate that state management or assistance is necessary.

As part of the audit, KDE's team conducted 1,588 virtual interviews between Sept. 21 and Oct. 9 with JCPS stakeholders, including school board members, school-based decision making councils, district and school administrators, and certified and classified staff. 

The team also reviewed district data, documents, and the corrective action plan.

Glass said the settlement agreement should be considered fulfilled and JCPS released from further implementation of formal corrective action implemented under the agreement.

The audit will be a review item at the KBE's Dec. 2 meeting.

Haeli Spears is a digital producer with Spectrum News 1 Kentucky. She is a University of Louisville graduate who started her career with Spectrum News in May, 2020.