[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6276585,"mediaKeyId","2659153-df386a29e00c9cbc78d09365be8e7f8d","parentId",2659153,"title","Board approves routine items; calendar forgiveness motion passes with one dissent","audioSeconds",5231,"startMs",600000,"endMs",5831000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2659153-df386a29e00c9cbc78d09365be8e7f8d&start=600&end=5831","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2659153-df386a29e00c9cbc78d09365be8e7f8d/thumbnail_600000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6276585/Kentucky/Board-approves-routine-items-calendar-forgiveness-motion-passes-with-one-dissent","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6276585-aad2684b4d450cf5765a036145e801ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1770633904&Signature=X4C1rAgvinfGkS-kIJP8wRsbpEcXAcu64XznhmakmHRweAY842az0T29uhN9P7CmOSqL6Smf1WeKL9-YWa1fBC~CR~mTcgd78S65uKHhQtTyoNxvtx1L668JwYiCeGnx9b~lCpLlVVNTRRb68qg~elAcKZljoC1pHer278aqshxS0nh9DkjpKfZK5n~5t5XSHK9nC08vosdjdNESIvBiW5Hw~ZqemWYP-CBokqQSoY70S3ZrthwpKGq-e25xNKDKlifLx~v7aBda32nYtumlx86OVKnwTN~i3f4RXzEnjiKomJoi8VryE-B0VTOQz9BPAjUuu4oE0TYMjsSmjNxyaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Jefferson County Board of Education","date","2025-02-25T00:00:00Z","article","The Jefferson County Board of Education approved procedural and consent items during its Feb. 25 work session, and recorded a split vote on a school‑calendar forgiveness motion.

Key outcomes:
- The board approved the meeting agenda at the start of the work session; the chair announced \"Ayes have it.\" (voice vote; no roll call recorded.)
- The board approved the Jan. 28 meeting minutes; the chair reported approval.
- The board received and accepted the goal monitoring report on interim metrics for Guardrail 3 (protect inclusive decision making). Motion: Miss Lister; second: Miss Duncan. Chair recorded \"All in favor.\" (voice vote.)
- The consent calendar was approved with items N, O, W‑18 and W‑19 and DD pulled for discussion. Separate motions recorded these approvals: consent calendar minus N, O, W‑18, W‑19 and DD was approved (motion by Miss Craig, second Miss Lister); later the board approved items N and O individually and approved W‑18 and W‑19 afterwards. (The transcript records motions and seconds for these approvals; individual roll call tallies were not provided for those motions.)
- Consent item DD (school calendar forgiveness for four days) was considered separately and approved in a recorded vote: Ayes—Bass, Duncan, Everett, Lister, Strange, Scholl; Nay—Craig. The board announced the vote result with one dissenting vote.

Why it matters: the calendar forgiveness motion affects instructional days and testing windows; staff explained that lower attendance after Memorial Day could increase the number of students marked novice on state tests if testing is delayed. Board members debated instructional time versus test‑attendance consequences before the vote.

Ending: the board adjourned at 8:24 p.m.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","JCBE Board Meeting – February 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the Feb. 25 work session the Jefferson County Board approved the meeting agenda and minutes, received a guardrail monitoring report, approved several consent items (including purchase and stipend items) and, in a recorded vote, approved a school calendar change with one board member opposed.","taxTitle","Jefferson County, School Boards, Kentucky","taxId",14467,"location","Kentucky","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6276590,"JCPS reports 4,500+ responses to superintendent survey; board reviews guardrail monitoring",223,5897000,6120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2659153-df386a29e00c9cbc78d09365be8e7f8d&start=5897&end=6120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2659153-df386a29e00c9cbc78d09365be8e7f8d/thumbnail_5897000.jpg","/articles/6276590/Kentucky/JCPS-reports-4500-responses-to-superintendent-survey-board-reviews-guardrail-monitoring","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6276590-ecb6d86cfe28e8b8c36667ed4a532382/orig.mp4?Expires=1770633904&Signature=RD4I3VEul8VaiGyR0qR01Webetptwf2CGnzrNsZVPkM9m2Chc1SpDuYbrtSq7BNWY5879Ax~ID2yyMZaUNSAgq8e12gj6IUdqJwOf8XesbeU9nle8rPdum4Vc1GDXoKAGWu0Eg55zxHMv4YtRof1IQm-xLBe1VhB2gHPvtQHPo19bpbNa-ynnOaEhl1~WS7sVp09qEMV4LwfN1Gs0h-ZCQSlPYhYKuJVfKKNlcVHBWYJ5TTVxVuoU7fEQrP1pFOqIKp8bUpZAIuZK~z091WJMlaqN5qRAwrk4MfRQAo8fbRkHnF7f0hHTxIYzV~EITwSgQjIC4ZwXiJPeIMLiVNq-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff told the Jefferson County Board of Education on Feb. 25 that a community survey conducted for the superintendent search received more than 4,500 anonymous responses and will inform the executive search firm's leadership profile.

The survey invited respondents to rate candidate qualities on a 1–10 scale. The highest‑ranked priorities included promoting academic achievement for all students (average score 9.2) and the candidate's ability to lead a team (average 9.3). Other high priorities included improving teacher recruitment and retention and addressing student behavior. Staff reported that 61% of survey respondents identified as White, 21% as Black/African American and that roughly half of respondents identified as JCPS parents and 45% as employees; respondents could select multiple categories.

Guardrail monitoring: staff also presented the first monitoring update for Guardrail 3, which covers inclusive decision making. JCPS described three focus areas—teacher voice and leadership, parent and staff communication, and collaborative district and school leadership teams—and said the district is increasing participation in an \"Upbeat\" staff survey measuring teacher input and leadership opportunities. Staff reported incremental gains in teacher perception metrics and said 49 school collaborative leadership teams have formed and are developing problems of practice for school improvement.

Why it matters: the survey and guardrail monitoring are inputs to the superintendent search and to district accountability practices. Board members asked for further details (open rates and click‑throughs for district communications; language support; and the next steps for collaborative leadership teams). Staff said the search screening committee will be fully populated by March 3 and that the search firm will present a leadership profile at a future meeting.

Ending: staff said they would continue to return with more detailed analyses and with the search firm's leadership profile in the next meeting cycle.","District staff told the board that a January–February superintendent search survey drew more than 4,500 responses. The search firm will use the results to develop a leadership profile. Separately, administrators gave an update on \"guardrail 3\" metrics that track inclusive decision making, teacher voice and district‑school leadership teams.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6276595,"Fern Creek pilot and staff surveys push JCPS toward stricter classroom cellphone rules",1196,2576000,3772000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2659153-df386a29e00c9cbc78d09365be8e7f8d&start=2576&end=3772","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2659153-df386a29e00c9cbc78d09365be8e7f8d/thumbnail_2576000.jpg","/articles/6276595/Kentucky/Fern-Creek-pilot-and-staff-surveys-push-JCPS-toward-stricter-classroom-cellphone-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6276595-6082a2744c054247bddc66ec1d214092/orig.mp4?Expires=1770633904&Signature=EdCzcShAHRjWVL0zEltC5PFKnkhc38hKi-DyOaECu~xRkFmvyKLm2tCsmJy39VejqE-rRRl45yLaLFIU3L4fuIlsP2cZc4mr1VveViPXHyio7JNuRYHNXiHywjEwqUnpFr2S6pnhiyiFki4Kpk2vaYSk21ETaXLk2Xgks89lSkxXuOhqcdAXMBaC8JGTHS3VgOEb9KFKtA-rYveeOQWAUkx9VD1QJoBc40NpPV1Qx8tHASO-Xa1EmWyjCs1C8w3NUSuvnsod5QniM1ggBQi-JoYrU7wErP11T5B-hM8QYeDhD5gZztnApmUbru7KyZ2shgfjk0TjJQDgcWvLehTs8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jefferson County Public Schools officials told the board on Feb. 25 that national research and teacher surveys support restricting students' cellphone use during instructional time, and Fern Creek High School presented a schoolwide program using Yondr pouches that administrators say has increased engagement and reading.

Jonathan Lowe, JCPS executive administrator for policy and systems, summarized state law and district policy: state statute requires each school board to adopt a policy on student device use, and JCPS' current policy prohibits cellphone use during instructional time but has had limited enforcement. Lowe said House Bill 208 had been introduced in the Kentucky Legislature and, if enacted, would require districts to prohibit cellphone use during the instructional day with exceptions for emergencies and medical accommodations.

Fern Creek principal Rebecca Nicholas told the board her school formed a stakeholder committee, surveyed parents, students and staff, and adopted a schoolwide \"phone free\" model using Yondr pouches. \"We went cold turkey,\" Nicholas said. Fern Creek bought pouches and a system for student devices; the school reports higher teacher engagement, increased book checkouts and some initial academic gains, though administrators said behavior issues rose briefly after implementation and then stabilized.

Teacher perspective: Maddie Shepherd, president of the Jefferson County Teachers Association, said a teacher survey of association members found nearly 90% of respondents said cellphones hurt classroom learning \"a great deal or some,\" and nearly 80% said cellphone use contributes to safety concerns. Shepherd said top teacher priorities for a policy are follow‑through, shared responsibility and ease of implementation.

Technical and health accommodations: Fern Creek described accommodations for students with 504 plans or medical monitoring devices and said staff coordinate with school nurses. IT staff told the board JCPS can block web content on district Wi‑Fi but cannot block content delivered over students' cellular connections.

Costs and rollout: Rebecca Nicholas said Fern Creek's pouch system cost about $35,000 for roughly 1,800 students; staff estimated a districtwide pouch rollout could cost $2–3 million. Board members discussed whether to require a district policy or preserve school‑level autonomy; several members recommended staff return with a recommended policy and implementation supports by May so schools could prepare for August if the board adopts a district approach.

Ending: Superintendent Polio and staff said they would bring a policy recommendation in the spring, noting enforcement, civil‑rights implications and special‑education accommodations as key implementation concerns.","JCPS staff presented research and school examples on Feb. 25 showing broad teacher support for restricting cellphones during instructional time. Fern Creek High School described a school‑level rollout using Yondr pouches and reported early gains; the board asked staff to return with a district policy recommendation by May.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6276600,"JCPS staff present preliminary research on school start times; no change mandated for 2025-26",804,645000,1449000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2659153-df386a29e00c9cbc78d09365be8e7f8d&start=645&end=1449","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2659153-df386a29e00c9cbc78d09365be8e7f8d/thumbnail_645000.jpg","/articles/6276600/Kentucky/JCPS-staff-present-preliminary-research-on-school-start-times-no-change-mandated-for-2025-26","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6276600-568ede4b121bfa65b4466b285f3ffc83/orig.mp4?Expires=1770633904&Signature=PxGGyzrhqRZkG14JlnFUhGnbIh4Med3Xq1pQciR-Kw1RwH4OMF2tH836KkfQ22rU4EPYyDEjSCzigoEHs5c0IBStBg3oWwvJiNygIUQLmpl1w4Ayszq4scqHMNJRlMEk-AEJ0Pg1JYG2ItGVTRlfn1Lls~xKE4YoygDBWHkpwtY8yHjY~6TJKnBJgwf85SRib8IfuF~u0kGrvWtr8N4xxGi5eKHJP0xKLI-JBH-l0zUAgRbwC4VGd-O67~nkyNIPHmswtDuC3fqJ4GmifeoIYW85ZtoDlBBcGFbNqrE0S4crWMfk7MH3DYSB5YP~CF3VuYH-fL-CfQrfVtnHmYZ7eg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Marty Polio opened a board work session presentation on Feb. 25 by saying the research briefing was meant to begin a roughly 10‑month conversation about start times for the 2026–27 school year and would not change the district's 2025–26 start times.

JCPS researchers summarized peer‑reviewed national studies and preliminary local analyses. Dr. Chung Fisher, an evaluation specialist in JCPS' research department, told the board that the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association have advised that start times earlier than 8:30 a.m. contribute to insufficient sleep for adolescents. \"Just a small delay of 30 minutes or so can result in a significant increase in sleep duration,\" Fisher said, and noted studies linking later start times to reduced disciplinary referrals and fewer teen driving crashes.

At the same time, researchers and presenters cautioned the board that findings are mixed. A JCPS staff presenter said local outcome data through the first semester showed some elementary schools that moved to later start times had reductions in chronic absenteeism and stable or improved behavior referrals, but the larger pattern across elementary, middle and high schools was inconclusive. \"In general, there's not a lot of clear evidence that any specific start time is associated with better student outcomes,\" a JCPS researcher said.

Why it matters: the board will decide district start times for 2026–27 in October 2025 if it chooses to act. Several board members pressed for more local engagement before any change: Miss Duncan asked whether other districts start elementary schools as late as 9:40 a.m.; researchers said a few districts had start times after 9:30 but that a 9:40 elementary start is very late nationally. Mr. Everett and others urged a teacher survey; researchers said staff surveys could be done and recommended a second year of transfer/retention data to reduce uncertainty.

Local context and logistics: presenters noted JCPS has modified start times several times in recent years (two start times in 2022–23, three start times currently) in response to bus‑driver shortages. JCPS staff said about 57% of the district's secondary schools begin after 8:30 a.m. and that the district removed roughly 10,000 students from buses this year—figures staff used when describing transportation constraints that shape start‑time options.

Board direction and next steps: board members asked staff to survey parents and teachers and to provide additional semesters of local data. Superintendent Polio and staff said the presentation was intended to give the board more runway; staff will return with additional analysis and stakeholder information ahead of any formal decision for 2026–27.

Ending: board members agreed to continue studying the issue. The presentation was positioned as preliminary research and local data review rather than a decision paper; Polio reiterated that the board had already set start times for 2025–26 and that any change would be considered over the coming months ahead of an October 2025 decision.","District researchers told the Jefferson County Board of Education that national evidence links later start times to more sleep and some health and safety benefits but that local JCPS outcome data are preliminary and mixed. Board members asked for more local surveys of parents and teachers before any decision for 2026–27.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves routine items; calendar forgiveness motion passes with one dissent

JCPS reports 4,500+ responses to superintendent survey; board reviews guardrail monitoring

Fern Creek pilot and staff surveys push JCPS toward stricter classroom cellphone rules

JCPS staff present preliminary research on school start times; no change mandated for 2025-26