LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville Metro Council members are asking the Jefferson County Board of Education to reverse its plan to cut transportation for thousands of students, as Mayor Craig Greenberg offered a way to help, at the expense of another struggling city agency.

During a news conference held Monday afternoon at Metro Hall, council members called for a partnership with Jefferson County Public Schools to find solutions.

"It's not gonna be a bashing session of Jefferson County Public Schools, but what we're gonna ask is for a partnership. And not just a partnership for Metro Government, but a partnership to be able to sit at the table with community leaders, pastors, and other entities that this impacts," Councilwoman Tammy Hawkins, D-1, said Monday. "Because it just did not impact Jefferson County Public School board members who made this decision."

The plan voted on last week cuts transportation for thousands of students at the district's magnet and traditional schools, with the exception of Central and Western high schools, which both have a 75% threshold of students on free or reduced lunch.

While the criticism towards Kentucky's largest school district came down during Monday afternoon's press conference, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg proposed what could be a temporary solution by utilizing Transit Authority of River City drivers, who may soon face layoffs, to drive JCPS buses.

Greenberg cited transportation challenges facing JCPS and TARC. TARC, he said, is facing a financial crisis as it is about to lose 20% of its annual revenue with funding from the American Rescue Plan about end.

"That stark financial reality, combined with a lack of strategic plan from prior leadership, has left the TARC Board and management with no easy options," said Greenberg. "Earlier today, the TARC Board of Directors approved a proposed budget that will maintain the solvency of TARC, and also continue bus service for many Louisvillians who depend on the system, including paratransit riders."

However, the mayor said, the proposed operating budget includes a reduction in the frequency of TARC's routes, resulting in fewer bus drivers needed "in the near future."

"We as a community have depended on all of these TARC bus drivers for many years, and we want to be there for them in return," Greenberg said.

The mayor said because of this, and because JCPS continues to struggle filling bus driver vacancies even though it has the funding available, he penned a letter to TARC Board of Directors on Monday calling for a meeting to "start working through the details of how we can offer impacted TARC drivers the opportunity to be JCPS bus drivers and address their transportation challenges."

"As of right now, it appears there is no perfect answer to either one of these challenges," said Greenberg. "I believe that we are presented with an opportunity to support TARC drivers, JCPS students and our entire community."

The plan was welcomed by Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio, although he cautioned it only offers a solution for next school year. Both Pollio and Greenberg announced a verbal commitment to meet this week.

"If we are able to have a solution that we can work on that gets us next year, the data is indicating this is going to be a problem 12 months from now, 24 months from now, 60 months from now," said Pollio.

One apparent problem, however, is that the drivers aren't on board. Lillian Brents, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1447 — which represents TARC drivers — said the idea to transition drivers doesn't address the city's lack of funding for public transportation and came with little warning.

"The mayor did send us a letter earlier today in which we didn't have opportunity to discuss or consider, so we (were) completely blindsided," said Brents.

The plan voted on last week cuts transportation for thousands of students at the district's magnet and traditional schools, with the exception of Central and Western high schools, which both have a 75% threshold of students on free or reduced lunch. That impacts more than 14,000 students.

"Jefferson County Public Schools decided to eliminate transportation to all magnet schools, excluding Central, will eliminate busing for about 16,000 students. This will disproportionately effect our underserved communities and underprivileged youth in Louisville, denying them access to valuable and necessary educational opportunities," said Hawkins. "Many of the families we represent rely on schools providing transportation due to them not having cars. This decision threatens the diversity that is critical for creating the best learning environment as students learn from each other's diverse backgrounds and experiences. Everybody wants the best school for their child, and this decision will limit that opportunity for them. I will continue to state, the west deserves the best. And in this conversation, all students deserve equal opportunity."

Some leaders, including the board's chair, have expressed concerns about the plan not being equitable as it would disproportionately affect racial minorities.

"My main concern is that we will limit the number of Black and immigrant children who will be able to attend magnet schools," JCPS board Chairman Corrie Shull told WDRB News in an interview last month.

A spokesperson for JCPS previously told WDRB about 6,500 of the 8,000 Black students who currently attend the district's magnet and traditional schools ride the bus.

"I've listened to the feedback from my constituents and my community members and leaders and students, recognizing the significant concerns among families, especially those in west Louisville," said Hawkins.

The move to make cuts to transportation has angered parents, who are now left trying to figure out how their children will get a ride to school next year.

"I did not appreciate a decision was made," said JCPS parent Cassia Herron. "It's lack of leadership, it's negligence."

Monday, several Metro Council members echoed community concerns, and said while the district's decision was "disappointing," they understood a decision had to be made as the district faced pressure from its transportation department, which said it was already weeks behind in creating routes for the 2024-25 school year.

"Jefferson County Public Schools failed not only my community, but the entire community. And let me call a spade a spade, the Black community," Hawkins said. "And it's way too often that the people are put in these roles to make decisions for areas that they don't even live in, or that they don't even walk in."

In the days since the board's vote, some community activists, parents and former JCPS bus drivers have started coming up with their own solutions to get students to class on time. A carpool group was recently created on Facebook as an alternative to the JCPS busing dilemma.

One issue facing JCPS bus drivers, that leaders have said is having an impact on filling vacancies, is student behavior.

Hawkins on Monday cited a recent conversation she had with a constituent who asked why no one wanted to drive buses that prompted her to talk to some drivers herself.

"In that investigation, the biggest issue was when kids have bad behaviors on the bus, they are continued," she said. "They have to continue to pick them up."

Councilwoman Donna Purvis, D-5, is also a JCPS employee. She piggybacked off of Hawkins' statement on Monday and reiterated that student behavior is a larger issue.

"We need to address the real elephant in the room. There's bad behavior on the bus, there's bad behavior in the classroom, and I know that JCPS is aware of this," said Purvis. "I know that JCPS has a lot on their plate. But I also know that JCPS has the ability to address the behavior issues. ... For me, being inside as a substitute teacher, I can see that there can be real policies created to address these behaviors that effect student learning. We should not deny access to students how have the passion to learn."

Purvis encouraged partnerships between individuals and groups who can address behavior issues, which aren't going to be solved by one person.

"You need partnership with this. You need educators, you need students. But most of all, we need parents," she said.

JCPS has said the now approved transportation plan will allow them to cut back on routes, but that may still mean delays for riders.

The transportation department also has shared its recent improvements when making routes for next year. JCPS said it is improving GPS on buses, will mirror morning and afternoon routes and try to keep drivers in areas close to their compound.

JCPS said the average pay for bus drivers is $55,000 a year with base pay starting at $22.78 an hour, but drivers can earn up to $38.78 an hour with incentives for perfect attendance and driving challenging routes.

JCPS said currently it has 558 drivers but over 563 routes, the district already starts the day underwater. On top of that, JCPS averages 52 drivers absent daily.

Pollio previously said pay is not the problem, "We have aggressively worked on pay increases to the point where our average salary for a bus driver is $55,000 per year, and I hope that is highlighted $55,000 per year. We have a large number of bus drivers who are making over $75,000 a year. We have some that are making in excess of $100,000 a year now."

While many councilmembers, and Greenberg, reiterated that the JCPS transportation issue isn't technically a problem dealt with by Metro Government or the mayor's office, it's a community issue that should be resolved collectively.

"What I do know, being a councilmember, is that collaboration is always good. So I stand firm and ready to collaborate as best we can to brainstorm ideas if that is what Jefferson County Public Schools want to do," Councilwoman Paula McCraney, D-7, said.

The message often echoed was the need for partnership — between Metro Government, JCPS and the community.

"I do know that when you come together, and you put great brain power together, solutions can be had," said McCraney. "I stand firm in my commitment of being in leadership, to be a leader at the table if I'm invited. So I expect to be invited so that we can all work together."

Hawkins called for Greenberg to set up a meeting with Metro Council members, stakeholders and community member leaders as soon as possible to come up with solutions, and allow for community feedback.

"I understand this decision will not be an overnight change, however, I feel it's necessary to handle this issue with the upmost urgency and seriousness," she said.

Hawkins also called on the mayor to allow Metro Council members to participate in finding solutions.

"It is due time to allow Metro Council, community leaders and partners to partner with Jefferson County Public Schools to come up with those necessary solutions needed," she said.

You can watch Monday's press conference in the video player below:

Some Metro Council members held a press conference Monday calling on the district to reverse its vote approving transportation cuts.

JCPS Transportation Coverage:

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