LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Two weeks ago, Jefferson County Public Schools made the decision to cut Spanish classes at a JCPS middle school. Now, parents and students are taking their concerns to the school board.   

What You Need To Know

  • Two weeks ago, Jefferson County Public schools made the decision to cut Spanish classes at Highland Middle School

  • Parents say they received an email on Sept. 9 stating on Sept. 16 the Spanish classes would be canceled and students will have to pick from general music, physical education or graphic art

  • Highland Middle School was overstaffed and required to reduce certified staff by two positions. The principal chose to eliminate the Spanish position

  • The middle school is working to provide online Spanish classes for those interested

Parents and students gathered in the rain in front of the VanHoose Education Center Tuesday night, chanting “Si se puede” meaning “Yes, it’s possible.”  

Highland Middle School parents and guardians received an email announcing that the school was eliminating Spanish for all its students mid-semester.

Laura Moyer says she and her family came to Highland because of the Spanish immersion program there.

“We were shocked on Sept. 9, where we got an email saying that effective the following Monday, that the Spanish would be canceled and the teacher would be reassigned to a different school. Our children would all have to pick other classes to take. And this came without consulting any parents or stakeholders at all,” said Moyer.

Current Highland Middle School student Cora Holcombkeriner says when they heard the news of their Spanish class being cut, they thought it was a joke or a scam.

“If it was like, clickbait or if it was fake news, like it could any of that. I was heartbroken because I love Spanish. It was the class that I look forward to the most,” said Holcombkeriner.

Highland Middle School student Josie Jones says it is imperative to her success to have a real Spanish-speaking teacher in the classroom.

“I don’t want to be stuck with programs like Duolingo, which, although do provide a Spanish learning experience, aren’t exactly good at street slang,” said Jones.

Both students say just bring Spanish back.

JCPS Superintendent Marty Pollio says the district has teacher vacancies, but every school year they try to balance out the numbers.

“We only approve the amount of teachers that a school has. The site-based council makes a determination on what courses they teach. Clearly, there are state standards that you have to have math, English, science, social studies for all students,” said Pollio.

JCPS Chief Of Communications Carolyn Callahan says the school was over-staffed because of lack of enrollment and was required to reduce certified staff by two positions. The principal chose to eliminate the Spanish position.

Moyer says she hopes the district understands the importance of having Spanish in the school system for the young people’s future.

“We really think this can be a win-win. I mean, the district has started to prioritize career academies more and more. And there’s no reason that foreign language can’t be part of those academies,” said Moyer.

JCPS says they are working to provide online Spanish classes for those interested. Pollio says the Spanish teacher is still employed by the district and went to an understaffed school.

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