JCPS board approves 2021-22 calendar setting first and last days of school for students

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — While it is anyone's guess what next year could look like in terms of education amid the COVID-19 pandemic, board members for Jefferson County Public Schools have approved a calendar for the 2021-22 school year.

The calendar, which board members OK'd Tuesday, sets Aug. 11, 2021, as the first day for students and May 31, 2022, as the last day of school.

A fall break from Sept. 29 through Oct. 1, a winter break from Dec. 20 through Dec. 31 and a spring break from April 4 through April 8 are all included in the calendar, in addition to various holidays.

Tuesday night's JCPS board meeting was the final scheduled meeting of 2020 for the seven members who help oversee Louisville's public school system.

It was also the last-ever official meeting for Chris Brady, who announced earlier this year he would not seek reelection after serving on the JCPS board for eight years.

Board members and JCPS Superintendent Marty Pollio congratulated Brady during Tuesday's meeting for his service over the years.

The past few years, Brady said, have "been some of the most challenging, turbulent and really, quite frankly, rewarding of my life."

"I feel that the district is finally on the right path under Dr. Pollio's leadership and his team's leadership," Brady told his fellow board members.

Sarah Cole McIntosh will take over Brady's seat that represents eastern Jefferson County after winning election in November.

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JCPS board members also discussed Tuesday the proposed new student assignment plan — which would give kids living in West End the chance to attend school closer to home — as well as student enrollment projections for the next school year.

JCPS enrollment projections have dipped each year since 2013-14, when the district counted over 101,000 students in preschool through 12th grade.  

Enrollment for the 2020-21 school year was 96,715 students, according to JCPS figures.

By the 2021-22 school year, the district projects to serve 97,924 students, with that figure hovering around the 98,000 mark through 2025, officials said Tuesday.

JCPS leaders noted projecting enrollment for next year is difficult due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

And they said kindergarten numbers were "down significantly" this year, with a resulting impact expected next year on enrollment figures for the first through fifth grades.

As part of a push for more equitable funding models, Pollio also told board members the district will begin a "tiered" school funding formula next year in which higher-need schools will receive more dollars.

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Reach Billy Kobin at bkobin@courierjournal.com.