Without a change to JCPS, we will experience decades like the past

Enrollment, attendance, student outcomes and teacher retention remain low post-pandemic. Staff shortages and a culture of fear are damaging morale, while operational mishaps have made JCPS a target of ridicule. Now the school principal is leaving and three quarters of the eligible school board members have decided against running for re-election. A state commission is considering dramatic state-mandated changes.

The deeper problem is decades of stagnation, regardless of who was in charge, with no progress in closing learning gaps and leaving most black and poor students behind.

JCPS clearly needs a great new superintendent, but Kentucky law has long made that impossible by denying Louisville's superintendent the authority that every CEO of a large organization needs. If Louisville wants JCPS to do tomorrow what it cannot do today – educate all of our children – we must demand changes in state law to empower a leader to fix our broken system.

Kentucky needs to give the next JCPS principal real authority

Large companies hire managers to deliver results, not just to manage day-to-day operations. Generals must win wars, not just try. CEOs must deliver products, even when the path is unclear. University presidents must work with, through and around sometimes hostile constituencies to get things done. None of these are micromanaged by boards under outdated governance charters.