LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Marty Pollio reflected on 2024 with just days until the calendar flips to 2025. 

Pollio said his toughest decision was to cut transportation for nearly all magnet schools but believes it was the right one, adding student performance is up and chronic absenteeism is down.

“We had to ensure that we're getting kids to school at the right time, not missing instructional minutes and home efficiently and effectively,” Pollio said. “We are doing both of those: kids are getting to school on time, we are getting kids to school, at home, much faster than we ever have.”

The district announced Monday that 68 TARC drivers have now received the required certification to drive school buses. While Pollio said this process has taken longer than expected, it could mean the restoration of some routes that were previously cut by the end of the school year.

“If it is passed (by the Jefferson County Board of Education) in early to mid-January, we're looking at about a six-week time period," Pollio said. "So yes, we could bring back, we believe, some routes to some of our students, by about the first of March." 

Pollio will retire in June after 28 years with JCPS, spending the last eight leading the district. He said he plans to spend the next six months focusing on setting up the next superintendent for success when they take on the job. 

He added he hopes they possess certain qualities. 

“Passion, continuity and then I would say that someone comes in and if you truly care about kids, you're willing to take a big swing at change and make tough decisions for what's best for the district and for what's best for the kids in this district,” Pollio said.

The Board of Education is tasked with selecting the next superintendent.