LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) will reopen to students next month, a year after schools first shuttered because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Jefferson County Board of Education approved an amended version of JCPS’s reopening proposal in a 4-3 vote during a virtual meeting Thursday. Board members James Craig, Sarah McIntosh, Linda Duncan, and Joe Marshall voted in favor of reopening. Board Chairwoman Diane Porter, Board Vice Chairman Chris Kolb, and board member Chris Shull voted against.

Kolb wants more of a focus on equity in the district's reopening plan.

“I move that this board instructs Dr. Pollio and his team to develop a comprehensive plan to promote equity in our reopening plans,” said Kolb. 

Kolb’s motion was passed unanimously. JCPS Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio said he would have the updated information to schools on Friday and will provide up-to-date numbers the board numbers requested. The superintendent said what makes the situation so hard was the fact there were no clear-cut answers.

“What makes it most difficult is that there are no easy answers to this,” said Pollio. "Every solution has problems with it, and I wish there were easy answers to make it through a pandemic."

Students will return to classrooms on a rolling schedule:

• Kindergarten to second grade will return on March 17
• Third to fifth grade on March 18
• Early childhood on March 22
• Middle and high school on April 5

All students will be on hybrid schedules, a change from the district’s initial plan. Families will still have a virtual-only option. The Jefferson County Board of Education will monitor the process of House Bill 208. The next board meeting for the Jefferson County Board of Education is set for March 9, which will be an in-person meeting.