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JCPS Board Halts School Closure Plan, Demands Details as $132 Million Cuts Near

The board set a Dec. 23 deadline for a revised plan explaining student placements, facility standards and cost offsets.

Overview

  • The vote paused recommendations to close Liberty High and Zachary Taylor Elementary, merge King into Maupin, and relocate Waller-Williams Environmental and TAPP.
  • District leaders say JCPS faces a $188 million deficit and must identify $132 million in reductions to avoid missing payroll.
  • Officials estimate the proposed school changes would save only $4 million to $8 million annually, leaving most of the gap unresolved.
  • Board members asked for analysis of academic impacts, transportation logistics, receiving-school capacity and whether required renovations would erode savings.
  • Superintendent Brian Yearwood, pressed on the shift from a prior $40 million cut estimate, cited heavy use of ESSER funds and years of overspending, with a draft budget due Jan. 20.