December 12, 2025

JCPS Board Pauses School Closure Plan Amid Budget Concerns

Louisville, KY, December 12, 2025

The JCPS Board of Education has decided to temporarily halt a proposal to close and consolidate several schools due to a significant budget shortfall. This decision, influenced by community feedback, aims to ensure careful evaluation of the repercussions on students and the district. Superintendent Yearwood’s recommendations included the closure of certain schools and relocations, intended to address a $188 million deficit. However, additional analysis is needed before moving forward.

Louisville, KY – JCPS Board Pauses School Closure and Consolidation Plan Amid Budget Deficit

The Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Board of Education has voted to pause a proposal to close and consolidate several schools in response to a significant budget shortfall. This decision follows extensive community feedback and aims to ensure a thorough evaluation of the potential impacts on students and the district.

Details of the Proposal

Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood had recommended the following changes for the 2026-2027 school year:

Closure of Zachary Taylor Elementary School: Enrollment was under 50% of the school’s capacity.
Closure of Liberty High School: Originally established for credit recovery, similar resources are now available across the district.
Relocation of Waller-Williams Environmental School: Due to low enrollment and high per-student costs, a move to a more suitable facility was proposed.
Consolidation of King Elementary into Maupin Elementary: King Elementary had 70% capacity, with per-student costs significantly above the district average.
Relocation of the Georgia Chaffee Teenage Parent Program: Proposed move to a more efficient location due to low enrollment.

These recommendations were part of a broader strategy to address a $188 million budget deficit facing the district. The proposed changes were expected to save between $4 million and $8 million annually, contributing to the necessary budget reductions. However, Superintendent Yearwood emphasized that further cuts totaling $132 million were still required to avoid payroll issues.

Community Response and Board Decision

Community forums were held to gather input from parents, staff, and residents. The feedback expressed concern and apprehension regarding the proposed changes. In response, the JCPS Board voted to pause the plan, requesting Superintendent Yearwood to provide a more detailed analysis of the proposal’s rationale and its potential impact on students and the district. The board has set a deadline of December 23 for this additional information.

Background Context

JCPS has been facing financial challenges due to the exhaustion of one-time federal COVID relief funds and prior budget surpluses. The district is under pressure to implement significant budget cuts to address the deficit. The board’s decision to pause the school closure and consolidation plan reflects a commitment to due diligence and transparency, ensuring that any changes made are in the best interest of students and the community.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the JCPS Board’s recent decision regarding school closures and consolidations?

The JCPS Board voted to pause a proposal to close and consolidate several schools in response to a significant budget shortfall. This decision follows extensive community feedback and aims to ensure a thorough evaluation of the potential impacts on students and the district.

What schools were proposed for closure or consolidation?

The proposal included the closure of Zachary Taylor Elementary School and Liberty High School, the consolidation of King Elementary into Maupin Elementary, and the relocation of Waller-Williams Environmental School and the Georgia Chaffee Teenage Parent Program to new facilities. These recommendations were part of a broader strategy to address a $188 million budget deficit facing the district.

Why did the JCPS Board decide to pause the proposal?

The decision to pause the proposal was made in response to community feedback expressing concern and apprehension regarding the proposed changes. The board requested Superintendent Yearwood to provide a more detailed analysis of the proposal’s rationale and its potential impact on students and the district, with a deadline of December 23 for this additional information.

What is the current financial situation of JCPS?

JCPS is facing a $188 million budget deficit, primarily due to the exhaustion of one-time federal COVID relief funds and prior budget surpluses. The district is under pressure to implement significant budget cuts to address the deficit, with further cuts totaling $132 million required to avoid payroll issues.

What steps is JCPS taking to address the budget deficit?

JCPS has proposed closing and consolidating several schools as part of a strategy to address the budget deficit. However, following community feedback, the board has paused the proposal to ensure a thorough evaluation of its potential impacts. The district is also exploring other measures to reduce the deficit, including potential cuts totaling $132 million to avoid payroll issues.

Key Features of the JCPS School Closure and Consolidation Plan

Feature	Description
Proposed School Closures	Zachary Taylor Elementary School and Liberty High School
Proposed Consolidation	King Elementary into Maupin Elementary
Proposed Relocations	Waller-Williams Environmental School and the Georgia Chaffee Teenage Parent Program to new facilities
Budget Deficit	$188 million
Additional Cuts Required	$132 million to avoid payroll issues
Community Feedback	Concerns and apprehension regarding proposed changes
Board’s Decision	Paused the proposal and requested further analysis from Superintendent Yearwood
Deadline for Additional Information	December 23