JCPS superintendent Brian Yearwood on budget decisions
Jefferson County Public Schools superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood says three guiding principles will shape budget decisions moving forward. Hear them.
With a massive budget deficit looming over their heads, leaders of Jefferson County Public Schools announced plans to close, consolidate and relocate multiple schools ahead of next school year.
JCPS is proposing closing Zachary Taylor Elementary and Liberty High; consolidating King and Maupin elementary schools; and relocating Waller-Williams Environmental and the Georgia Chaffee Teenage Parent Program.
Additionally, Grace James will move into the former DuBois building on Indian Trail, with DuBois moving into its new facility behind Thomas Jefferson Middle.
The plan was posted to the district’s website and on social media post at 5 p.m. Nov. 20.
“We know this is difficult, but it is necessary for the District’s future,” the post stated.
The news comes about one week after The Courier Journal reported Superintendent Brian Yearwood had a ranked list of which of the district’s 150+ schools would be ideal candidates for closure, which was created by the district’s operations team based off a series of financial and logistical details.
One factor of the ranking is the total cost of educating each student, according to Chief Operations Officer Rob Fulk. The internal calculation goes beyond instructional costs to also include each school’s cost of transportation, maintenance, janitorial staff and more. The team also considered the historical and projected enrollment of each school, as well as the maintenance needs of its building.
The reasoning behind closing Zachary Taylor, according to JCPS, is that the school’s enrollment is just under 50% its optimal capacity.
In regard to Liberty, JCPS noted the school was initially created to help students in the credit recovery process.
“Today, well-rounded credit recovery resources are implemented across JCPS, making the stand-alone Liberty model no longer necessary,” JCPS’ website states. “If passed, students will return to their resides schools, with mandated Personal Learning Plans (PLPs) and robust social-emotional support to provide an accelerated path to credit recovery.”
It is unclear where on the district’s list the two schools fall because it has not been made public.
The reasons behind moving both Waller-Williams and TAPP are low enrollment and high program costs, JCPS states. The plan is to move Waller-Williams to an existing facility in Fairdale and move TAPP to Male High School’s campus.
King Elementary, currently located on Vermont Avenue, would be moved into Maupin’s building on Catalpa Street. The two schools are about a 9-minute drive apart.
The changes have to be approved by Jefferson County Board of Education members. The district is hosting three public forums before members vote, according to JCPS. Families can also share their thoughts through an online form.
Krista Johnson covers education and children. Have story ideas or questions? Contact her at kjohnson3@gannett.com and subscribe to her newsletter.
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