JCPS is Prepared for 2022-23 School Year  

Additional security, bus delay information, technology upgrades among changes

By Mark Hebert

August 4, 2022 - Additional security personnel, a web page link to check on identified late buses and upgraded technology are among the changes Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) students will find as they return to classes for the 2022-23 school year. JCPS is estimating that 95,000 K-12 students will be enrolled in 166 schools on Wednesday, August 10, the first day of classes.    

“We are always excited to enter a new school year,” said Dr. Marty Pollio, JCPS superintendent. “While there are always challenges, JCPS’ dedicated teachers, administrators and staff are ready to make this a great year for our students.”

Yellow school bus with stop sign extended

Here’s a look at what students and families can expect:

Transportation

  • The Bus Finder app is available for families to find their child’s bus, the nearest stop to their home and the expected time of arrival.
  • To date, there are about 70 bus driver vacancies that will require other drivers to complete their assigned runs and then circle-back to pick up the students assigned tot those uncovered routes.  We will communicate the list of uncovered buses, the schools impacted, and anticipated delays on our JCPS website.  This list will be updated as new drivers are hired to fill-in those vacancies.  
  • Unexpected delays occur from time-to-time and will be communicated via school messenger to those schools impacted.

Nutrition

  • Seventy two percent of JCPS students are eligible for free or reduced lunch. That’s about five percent higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Some students at nine schools will, once again, be required to pay for a school lunch. Last year a federal waiver allowed all students to receive free meals regardless of family income.
  • Supply chain issues are expected to continue requiring school cafeterias to substitute for some items that are on the weekly menu.

Security

  • A new safety plan is being implemented that includes the hiring of school-based Safety Administrators (SAs) in every middle and high school. SAs will be part of each school’s administrative leadership team and will oversee safety in the school building. Six SAs have been hired to serve elementary schools.  
  • JCPS Security and Investigations is now a sanctioned police agency and will have 30 security personnel providing safety support for schools in clusters of five or six that are in the same geographic area.   
  • The school year will begin with 11 sworn officers with five more officers trained and sworn by the end of August. Additionally, 14 uniformed district security monitors are preparing to enter academy training.

Technology

  • JCPS completed installation of interactive flat panels in every classroom last year.
  • Every student will have access to a device meaning the district has reached a 1:1 technology to student ratio. Nearly 50,000 of those devices also include data plans giving students internet access anyplace/anytime. An additional 25,000 devices will have data plans soon.

Facilities

  • In addition to the two new elementary schools that JCPS will be opening this year, the 9th and 10th grade students at W.E.B. DuBois Academy are moving into their newly renovated building at Atkinson Square. 
  • DuBois’ main campus on Indian Trail will still house their 6th-8th grade students.  
  • Plans for a newly constructed, permanent home for all DuBois students (6-12) are already underway.