LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It’s been nearly a week since the Jefferson County Board of Education announced plans to cut bus routes to nearly all magnet schools except Central and Western High School. Now, Metro Council members and others are coming together to discuss solutions.
District 1 councilwoman Tammy Hawkins says all students deserve equal opportunity.
“This decision threatens the diversity that is critical for creating the best learning environment. As students learn from each other’s diverse backgrounds and experiences, everybody wants the best school for their child, and this decision will limit that opportunity for them,” said Hawkins.
Mayor Craig Greenberg, D-Louisville, says the city’s public transportation, TARC, is suffering from a financial crisis. As the agency is losing 20% of its annual revenue and believes there is an opportunity here to benefit the school system.
“The proposed solution is that impacted TARC drivers would have the ability to immediately start working for JCPS, ideally before the start of the next school system, so that they could address this challenge that they otherwise would not have a solution for,” said Mayor Greenberg.
JCPS Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio said the district is open to the mayor’s solution about bringing TARC bus drivers on board to drive school buses.
“Clearly, there is an opportunity here for JCPS to pick up a significant number of drivers with the TARC challenges as well. And I will say this: we will hire every single TARC driver that is available to us.”
While community leaders discussed solutions, some people, like Apriel Hearn, said she has some concerns about how it will affect the community.
“I do like what I’m hearing in regards to the proposal that was made for TARC and just hopes to collaborate, but, we have to worry about people being able to commute back and forth to work, grocery stores, doctor’s appointments and things of that nature. So, are we really fixing the problem, or are we just shuffle them around some of the things that are going through my mind,” added Hearn.
Councilwoman Hawkins said this option would disproportionately affect underserved communities and underprivileged youth in Louisville, denying them access to valuable and necessary educational opportunities.
“I want to state this is not technically a Metro Government issue. Nor that we can resolve alone. However, this is a community issue that we should resolve together, collectively. United you stand, divided we fall,” said Hawkins.
Hawkins says it is about coming together to make the best decision for Louisville youth. The voted option would eliminate busing for about 16,000 students in Louisville.