By Jacob Perkins
Jacob.perkins@education.ky.gov
Kentucky Commissioner of Education Jason E. Glass will not recommend state management or state assistance to the Kentucky Board of Education in Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) after reviewing the results of an audit of the district’s management.
On Sept. 21, an audit team appointed by the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) initiated the management audit of JCPS, pursuant to an August 2018 settlement agreement between the state and district and pursuant to KRS 158.785.
Based on the findings of the KDE management audit team, Glass stated he will not recommend state management or assistance and that all requirements of the settlement agreement have been met.
Glass notified the Jefferson County Board of Education and Superintendent Marty Pollio on Nov. 20 in writing that evidence collected during the audit establishes that neither state management nor state assistance is necessary to correct any inefficiencies and ineffectiveness within the district.
He recommended the district should “review the recommendations of the audit in detail and incorporate the recommendations into weekly cabinet meetings and the JCPS District Improvement Plan.”
“Based upon the findings outlined in the Management Audit Report, I have determined that there is not a pattern of a significant lack of efficiency and effectiveness in the governance and administration of JCPS,” Glass said. “I commend Dr. Pollio, his team and the Jefferson County Board of Education for their dedication to the implementation of the corrective action plan and their dedication to building sustainable systems that will provide stability to the district and allow the district to move forward.”
Between Sept. 21 and Oct. 9, 2020, the KDE management audit team virtually conducted 1,588 interviews with various JCPS stakeholders, including members of the school board, members of school-based decision making councils, district and school administrators, and certified and classified staff. The team reviewed district data, documents and the corrective action plan throughout the process.
Glass said the settlement agreement should be considered fulfilled and JCPS released from further implementation of formal corrective action implemented pursuant to the agreement.
The management audit will be a review item at the Dec. 2 virtual meeting of the KBE.
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