LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky’s largest district, Jefferson County Public Schools, welcomed students back the morning of Aug. 8 for the first day of the new school year. It comes on the heels of a rough start last year caused by a botched transportation plan.

What You Need To Know

  • Classes are back in session for Jefferson County Public Schools 

  • After last year's hiccups, the district said there were no major transportation delays  

  • The JCPS Board of Education voted 4-3 in April to cut transportation to nearly all magnet and traditional schools

  • This decision eliminated busing for around 16,000 students 

Marty Pollio, district superintendent, indicated changes made this year are working.

“From everything I hear, it’s going very well,” Pollio said.

The JCPS school board voted 4-3 in April to cut transportation to nearly all magnet and traditional schools, eliminating busing for around 16,000 students.

Since then, district staff have worked on creating new routes for drivers.

“We knew it was going to be more efficient and on time because we don’t have depots at the second and third start times, which was really important to us," Pollio said. "We don’t have elementary kids having to go to a depot and change onto another bus." 

A bus driver Spectrum News spoke with Thursday said his routes were smooth and not as problematic as last year. 

Pollio said he's certain the district had more bus drivers than bus routes to begin the new year. He added he does not foresee significant drop-off delays happening again this year. 

“The vast majority of our kids will be home by 5:30,” he said.

Pollio added the first few days will always have a few hiccups, but things start improving once drivers and students start to get into the rhythm of a new year. 

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