Louisville Branch NAACP addresses JCPS says the proposed JCPS transportation plans would cause divide
Published: Mar. 20, 2024 at 6:45 PM EDT| Updated: 21 hours ago
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - JCPS is set to vote on three proposed options for their transportation plan next week that would impact the upcoming school year.
The Louisville Branch of the NAACP says they feel all of the options are divisive.
Two years ago the NAACP says they backed JCPS’ student assignment plan when they thought it was for the betterment of all students, but after seeing the current transportation options, their support may change.
“They unfortunately have to choose between what are quite frankly a bunch of very bad options,” said Louisville Urban League President Lyndon Pryor.
The NAACP organized a press conference Wednesday to address those proposed plans
One of the choices would only bus students to their resides schools, cutting off 13,000 students from transportation to magnet and traditional schools.
It’s a choice that a Central High School parent Tanesha Booker says will have major impacts.
”Over 1,000 students at her school would not be able to attend because of the busing,” she said. “That’s teachers that are gone because of funding, that’s programs that are gone. She’s in the marching band and she may not be able to do that. She’s in the medical program and if that teacher has to get let go she can’t do that.”
A possible option for students missing out on busing would be to catch a TARC bus but Jordan Hearn says that option scares her daughter.
”My daughter is terrified. Like I said she never caught the TARC before and she knows that would be the only option in the afternoon if she doesn’t have the school bus to catch,” Hearn shared. “She would have to catch the TARC which she hasn’t done before and she can get lost.”
Pryor says he believes that a decision to deny busing for Magnet and Traditional Schools will not just hurt unrepresented students now, but will have lasting impacts for years to come.
”Taking away buses for magnet schools is going to create incredible further disparities within JCPS for students who are most impacted by poverty, historical discrimination and disinvestment,” Pryor explained.
So, the NAACP is calling on JCPS to consider more options or hold off from their vote, or else they will withdraw their support of the choice plan.
”It’s not in the interests of the students, it’s not in the interest of the community and therefore we would withdraw,” said Louisville Branch NAACP President Raoul Cunningham.
All eyes will be on the next JCPS school board meeting Tuesday as the fate of a lot families futures will be decided.