Last year’s decision by Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) to eliminate transportation services for magnet and traditional school students has had profound and disproportionate effects on our community, particularly impacting Black and low-income families. This policy change has not only disrupted students’ education but has also exacerbated existing racial and economic disparities within our school system.

This summer, I sat around a table with the mayor, Metro Council president, and JCPS and TARC leaders. I watched them put the final touches on an agreement that should have restored service to at least some children disenfranchised only a few months prior. A large press conference followed as many in this community hoped we were on the path to success, even if only marginally. I, along with several other community leaders, stepped away from the table, believing the subject matter experts and professionals remaining in the room could get the job done. We were wrong. 

The following months were full of confusion, missteps, and finger-pointing. The promise of August turned to September, then October, then December, and now here we sit in January with nothing to show for it all. Yes, we have the necessary bus drivers, but no promise has been kept, and there is no plan. That needs to change. On January 28, the JCPS Board of Education agenda states that they will take action on a “Transportation Plan – Return Service.” That is a good thing, but given the timing and everything connected to this decision, fundamental questions and decisions must be addressed. 

The decision to cut transportation has forced many families into untenable situations. Thousands of students opted to change schools or not even apply to schools of their choice due to lack of transportation. Other parents have attempted to keep their children in the desired schools and taken on the challenge of transportation themselves–adding costs, stress, and strain to family’s lives. After suing JCPS for cutting her son’s bus service, Louisville Public Media reported that a mother now faces legal repercussions for being unable to transport him to school. This situation underscores the dire consequences of the district’s actions on families who lack the resources to adapt to sudden policy changes. 

The Louisville Urban League stands in solidarity with these families and calls upon the JCPS School Board to take immediate, decisive, and comprehensive action to rectify this inequitable situation. We propose the following measures:

1. Restore transportation for the spring semester and next school year: Reinstate bus services for magnet and traditional schools, prioritizing students from low-income households and those residing in areas with limited access to alternative transportation. While only a small number of students may benefit this spring, every little bit counts, and this will give the transportation department time to create more efficiencies for the fall. The more important step is for the Superintendent to reopen the assignment process so that students who will now have transportation can make their choices based on the new reality. This step is crucial to ensure that all students have equal opportunities to attend the schools of their choice. Both steps must happen together to ensure equity. 
2. Consider outsourcing transportation services: JCPS should seriously explore partnerships with third-party transportation providers to address logistical challenges and improve efficiency. Outsourcing could alleviate the current driver shortage and reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies, ensuring more reliable service for students. I openly acknowledge that with unionized drivers and shortages nationwide, utilizing a third-party company may not be an easy option or solve the problem completely. But the district’s desire to “go it alone” has proven insufficient at best. We owe it to our children to seek the best possible options. 
3. Implement an Equitable Assignment Plan: Develop and enforce a student assignment plan that guarantees access to magnet and traditional schools regardless of a student’s transportation options. This plan should include reserving a percentage of seats in every magnet and traditional school for students who reside in the area of that building. This would not solve the issue for all students but would ensure equitable access to significantly more students than currently available.

Education is a fundamental right, and transportation and economic barriers should not hinder access to it. The current situation not only undermines the academic success of our students but also perpetuates systemic inequities that our community has long struggled to overcome.

We urge the Superintendent and JCPS School Board to act swiftly in implementing these recommendations, demonstrating a commitment to equity and the well-being of all students. Our children deserve nothing less than full access to the educational opportunities that will shape their futures and, by extension, the future of our community.

About the Louisville Urban League
The Louisville Urban League assists African Americans and those at the margins in attaining social and economic equality and stability through direct services and advocacy. For more information, go to lul.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter  (@louisvilleUL), or Instagram (@LouUrbanLeague).

January 21, 2025

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From the Desk of
Lyndon E. Pryor
President & CEO