Dr. Marty Pollio estimates he has spent nearly 5,000 school days in Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal and, currently, superintendent. And just before his 28-year career in JCPS comes to a close with his retirement on July 1, Pollio is reflecting on his tenure.
During his seventh, and final, State of the District address on Wednesday at The Olmsted, Pollio said JCPS is seen as “the national model for an urban school district in so many ways.”
The superintendent also praised community members, saying last fall’s vote to reject a statewide constitutional amendment that would have allowed public tax dollars to go to private schools is a sign that Louisville residents support public schools and JCPS.
“I’m not saying that this district is perfect,” Pollio said. “I’m not saying that we don’t always need to focus on continuous improvement and finding ways to improve student outcomes. But I believe we have a school district that we should be proud of in this community.”
Video of the entire State of the District event can be found on the JCPS YouTube Channel.
Pollio pointed to a number of initiatives that he said has JCPS improving and on the right path:
New district-wide, high-quality literacy and math instructional resources
Journey to Success: A component of our local accountability system, where students articulate the impact of vibrant learning experiences
Expansion of Academies of Louisville and middle school Explore Pathways
Deployment of school nurses and mental health practitioners in every school
Trained and fully staffed JCPS Police Department
Increased number of teachers and administrators of color
Creating a Choice Zone for all students to attend a school closer to home
New schools, playgrounds and athletic facilities
Pollio also said Louisville residents should celebrate the work of JCPS’ resides schools, not just magnet schools. The overwhelming majority of JCPS students attend resides schools that are, generally, non-magnet schools closest to a student’s home.
The superintendent said he’s also proud of the work he’s done the past eight years to attack inequity and ensure that “those (students) with the least amount of resources in their homes have the most amount of resources in their schools.” The Jefferson County Board of Education approved an equity funding model for schools two years ago.
Pollio said the focus on equity, programming, budgeting and teaching has resulted in narrowing the graduation and postsecondary readiness gaps between Black and white students. Those are the results “some decision makers and legislators” have been clamoring for while accusing JCPS of being a “failing school system,” he added.
Those attending the State of the District were encouraged by Pollio to visit a JCPS school and see the great things happening inside the building so they can refute the false narrative some attach to JCPS.
Pollio said it’s critical to students’ future success that the community continue its commitment to the Journey to Success, aligned curriculum, the Academies of Louisville and Explore Pathways.
“The work has been more challenging than I thought it would be,” Pollio said. “But I have to say I’m so proud of the work that we have done over the past eight years and I’m so proud to have led Jefferson County Public Schools. I will sprint to the finish line all the way to the end. Thanks so much to each one of you and your support of JCPS.”
Pollio has served nearly eight years as JCPS superintendent.