LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Starting next fall, Jefferson County Public Schools will not provide bus transportation to traditional and magnet schools except for Western High School and Central High School. 

The decision was made Wednesday night after an emotional two-hour specially called meeting of the board of education.

James Craig with the Jefferson Couonty Board of Education said, “I don’t want the kids at any of our schools to suffer but we are making them suffer today if we don’t do something about it and it would be wholly negligent when our transportation department is telling us they need a decision to get this right next year.”

The elimination of these bus routes results from what JCPS has called a nationwide shortage of bus drivers and the district’s struggle to get students to school on time throughout the school year.

Parents and community organizations have complained about how fair the plan is.

“Along the lines of economics decided, who has privilege and who does not, and that is a clear message to our students and to our kids,” said Lyndon Pryor, CEO of the Louisville Urban League.

Pryor is concerned for students who will need to transfer. 

“Kids are going to be robbed of choice, which is the district reneging on the promise that they made two years ago under the student assignment plan,” he added.

Students who attend a “resides school”—one closest to their home—will still receive transportation to and from school.

Board members Chris Kolb, Linda Duncan, James Craig and Sarah McIntosh voted in favor of the plan.

Joe Marshall, Corrie Shull, and Gail Strange voted against it.