School board member adds to JCPS start time controversy with scathing letter
A Jefferson County school board member wrote a scathing letter to JCPS principals, accusing staff who criticized the start time plans recently adopted by the board of "misleading" statements that "are contributing to a damaging narrative about JCPS."
Some even feel his letter included a threat meant to silence those critics.
"...It may be best for you and for the children of Jefferson County that you step aside and allow someone to lead who will embrace the opportunities that crisis presents," wrote Chris Kolb, a member of the Jefferson County Board of Education.
Kolb's comments were aimed at teachers and principals who spoke at Tuesday's board meeting, where a new start time plan was adopted that pushes some schools back to a 9:40 a.m. opening.
Many of those who spoke say that's too late and will create a myriad of problems.
Former JCPS principal Michelle Rennix says it took a lot of courage for those staff members to speak openly about their concerns, as it would for any employee to criticize their boss or their company's board of directors. That's why Kolb's suggestion they "step aside" could easily be construed as a threat, she said.
"I think that is the part that principals found most offensive, honestly," she said. "You know, in this age, when we're fighting for bus drivers, for teachers and even for principals who are dedicated to our students, that was not a welcome response from him."
For all the controversy over Kolb's letter, emails obtained by WLKY News show he changed his mind about sending the letter two hours after he asked JCPS Superintendent Marty Pollio to distribute it to principals.
"Actually, you don’t have to send it out," Kolb wrote to Pollio. "It probably puts you in a bad spot."
By that time, Pollio had already sent Kolb's letter, according to a JCPS spokesperson.
