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JCPS Board Rejects Special Education Reorganization, Orders New Plan After Audit

The move follows an audit that urged tighter oversight of JCPS finances.

Overview

  • Board members voted 4–3 to reject a revised overhaul of the Exceptional Child Education division proposed to help address a projected $188 million shortfall.
  • Superintendent Brian Yearwood was directed to return with new ECE staffing recommendations, and he said he expects to present them within a month.
  • The rejected plan would have netted about 17 fewer positions and shortened work calendars for multiple specialist roles, prompting warnings about delays in required special‑education evaluations.
  • Changes affecting Jefferson County Teachers Association members were pulled after union pushback, and the district had described the proposal as cost neutral by pairing $4.7 million in classroom expansion with $4.7 million in cuts.
  • The board unanimously accepted a Plante Moran audit calling for stronger budgeting controls and separately approved eliminating 61 elementary bookkeeper roles in favor of 22 centralized positions.