LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) – There is growing concern locally that changes at the state board of education could impact Jefferson County schools in a big way.
The new board could mean more support of charter schools and impact the audit of JCPS that still hasn't been published.
It's really been a whirlwind 36 hours for educators in JCPS.
Monday night JCPS board member Chris Brady revealed that he was told the state audit of the district would include state assistance.
"I don't think the commissioner has done anything that would warrant his removal,” JCPS Board of Education member Chris Brady said. “The reason I came forward with this is because I want to make sure the public knows that the recommendation at least initially was going to be for state assistance."
"That's probably worth looking into because I'm not sure how this person has insight that nobody in this room does,” Gov. Matt Bevin said.
"That information was conveyed to me by the Superintendent,” Brady said.
While the status of the state audit of JCPS is up for debate, Governor Matt Bevin says his decision to appoint 7 new members of the state board of education has nothing to do with Jefferson County.
"15% of our students in Kentucky are in that one system,” said Gov. Bevin. “Sadly, so too are probably 50-60% of our failing schools."
"This seems like a purely political move on his part,” JCPS Board of Education member Lisa Willner said. “When we're talking about our kids we should be very concerned."
"We knew all along that the governor was going to want his appointees in,” Jefferson County Teachers Association Vice President Tammy Berlin said. “He's obviously picking people who are charter proponents."
There is growing sentiment amongst JCPS board members, and JCTA, say that they see the Governor's moves as a power play to push charter schools on the commonwealth.
"The idea that we would even open the possibility of there being a charter school was to bring opportunity for parents and students to have a choice,” Gov. Bevin said.
"Anything that will take funding away from public schools should be a concern for all of us,” said Berlin.
"The state legislature didn't provide funding for charter schools this past session,” said Brady.
"You know elections have consequences,” Willner said. “This is the governor who was elected. He has the authority to appoint who he has appointed. I think we need to watch very carefully and I think there needs to be pushback if there is a state takeover recommended."
It is worth noting that the window for charter school application in Kentucky opened Monday.
It's unclear at this time if JCPS has received any applications.
►Contact reporter Holden Kurwicki at hkurwicki@whas11.com. Follow him on Twitter (@WHAS11Holden) and Facebook.