Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning. I'm Tony Cruz along with doctor Marty Polio,
(00:03):
JCPS Superintendent and Marty. First of all, thanks for coming
back on. I always enjoyed talking to you and I
hope you're having a good day today.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Tony, It's great, great, always great talking to you. I
only think I officially only have a few more of
these left, which I've always enjoyed doing this.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
Well, thank you, appreciate you being a part of the show.
Well let's talk first of all, right out of the
box once again about the Department of Education. Some people
haven't heard our interviews in the past, and the other
thing is what is this going to mean in the
short term and long term.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Well, I think, speaking for my colleagues across the nation
as we have collaborated together often and statewide as well,
we really don't know a whole lot. I mean, we
are going under a whole lot of assumptions or just
guess is really about what's next or what's going to happen.
You know, we hear one week that its Department of
(01:03):
Education will be dismantled. The next week, it's not going
to be dismantled. It's only going to get smaller. So
you know, we're not real sure right now. And as
I've told you before, I mean I think this is true.
I mean I have my frustrations on some things with
the US Department of Education, especially when we look at
accountability and the demand that puts on states to follow
(01:25):
their guideline so to speak, on accountability, and that becomes
frustrating often. I know it's frustrating at the state level.
I don't know if a lot of people will say that,
but I'm in my final few months and can say it.
But I think the biggest concern for most of us
is that funding that comes from the US Department of
Education or the FEDS, I should say, it's run through
(01:46):
the US Department of Education. That is really for Title IE,
which are our poorest students, IDEA which is our special
ed students. And then nutrition services or the meals that
we give to kids. So you know, these are three
funding sources that are anyone. Any district, whether it's a city,
(02:07):
whether it's suburban or rural, will tell you that these
are critical funds for kids to be successful. So I
think our just our once again is you know, we
don't know. We'd like to have more information, so we're
just we're like everybody else, kind of waiting to hear
a little.
Speaker 1 (02:22):
Bit more so with Title one, as I understand, the
Department of Education doesn't need to be around that. It
may be it will fall into place, you know, under
another construct or another bureaucracy, whatever the case may be.
Is that what you've been told?
Speaker 2 (02:41):
Yeah, I mean that once again we're not getting like
real solid information. I mean our assumption is, yes, the
US Department of Education doesn't need to do that. It
could be provided to the states either where they provided
or it could be given to another federal you know,
entity or branch to be the money as well. So
(03:02):
you know, I don't think that, in my mind, is
a mandate that it has to be the Department of Education.
But you know, when this change kind of change occurs,
we're all very nervous about what that's going to mean.
Because I can just say these funds, I mean, are
one hundred and fifty five schools Tony. I think one
hundred and thirty five of them qualify as Title on schools,
(03:24):
meaning high poverty schools. It has to be over a
certain percentage, and these funds really provide support for our
kids in our highest need schools, So yeah, I think
it could be done somewhere else.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
When you say support, does that mean reading is fundamental?
Does that mean reading programs, scholarships or for those students
who may be somewhat challenge maybe job placement through other means.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
It's mostly direct support at the school level is what
most of title IE is. And so what you're looking
usually at is reading in math, supports for programs. You
could be looking at supports to support kids in need
in a variety of areas. It is technically supposed to
be you know, driven towards reading and math. So it's
(04:10):
you know, it's academic related and so you know, but
it is critical for the success of a lot of
our students.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
Indeed, let's talk a little bit about apparently some bus
service is going to be returning here fairly shortly, about
six days from now.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
Yeah, yeah, next week, we got about eleven hundred students
that are having buses returned. We went through the long
process of getting some tart drivers, about seventy of them
on boarded and so, and then we polled all those
who lost transportation services, and honestly, I was really surprised, Tony.
(04:45):
We had about only about a third of those eligible
for the bringback asked for bus service back, and so
that was a little surprising to me. I was expecting
a lot more. I think what happened was once the
year started and people worked out transportation, and then on
top of that, the stipend that we're given to families,
(05:06):
families chose that instead of the bus. So we've got
about eleven hundred that are coming back, which is good.
And so next Monday that starts and we've got the
routes all drawn up and stops for kids and everything
like that. So excited to bring that back next week
as well.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
With doctor Marty Polio. We'll be back for another segment
here in just a couple of minutes on news Radio
eight forty whas. Good morning, I'm Tony Cruz with doctor
Marty Polio here at news Radio eight forty Whas. Marty,
I didn't want to ask you about a lot of
the Jefferson County Public School leaders are trying to get
(05:43):
a proposal for a new potential site for the district headquarters.
Do you have any thoughts about where that building if
it is going to be a possibility where we.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Go, Well, I mean, we have needed this has been
a part of our facilities planned for since I've taken over.
And maybe farther night. We're in a building, central office
building that's falling apart being really kept together, I mean
literally with tape. And so we have two choices. We
have to make you to renovate that building, which would
(06:15):
cost it could cost an excess of thirty million dollars,
or find a new spot to do that. And so
we haven't really said we're doing. We put out an
RFP Request for a proposal to get some ideas on
where that might be. I know that many in the city,
including the mayor, would love for us to move downtown
to bring you know, some folks into the downtown area
(06:38):
during the day. And on top of that, we could
we are we have three different buildings around town, one
for operations, one for more of the academic and HR
and upper or you know that type of thing. And
so what we would do was sell all our buildings
and actually we would save money by moving someplace else
and be able to put that money back back towards
(07:00):
students as opposed to renovating our central office building. So
we have you know, we haven't decided on anything like
that we're just kind of feeling that out to see
what's out there and how financially we could do it
where it really wouldn't cost us any money because we
would be selling our other office buildings. All right.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
In your former life, you were a tremendous basketball coach.
You and I y I got out Tony, you and
I know you were you were great. And then you
and I know one of the best basketball coaches on
the planet, and that's our buddy, Scotty Davenport. I know
he's been a longtime friend of yours. I don't know
if he mentored you some er, but he's mented a
(07:40):
lot of people, including students in JCPS.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Yeah, I think coach Davenport who I would consider to
be on the I mean, we have to say the
mount rushmore of coaches in this community all time. I mean,
how many have won a state championship and a national championship.
It's just it's amazing and so just an absolute amazing coach.
(08:05):
He worked for my dad when I was in high
school at Virginia Commonwealth University and so known him since
I was a kid and definitely has mentored me and
throughout the years. I mean he has just been behind
me and supported me, and when things are tough, he's
the first one to text me. But I think more
importantly than all of that would Coach Davenport. I don't
know of anyone who is more president in JCPS schools
(08:26):
in the community than Coach Davenport. If a principal calls
and says, come speak to my could you come speak
to this group or that group or my whole student body,
Coach Davenport is there, or from his old school, Fraser Elementary,
which is the principal calls him and he's mentoring a
kid and she says he's having a tough time, and
he's right over there at the school meeting with the kids.
So you know, he's been amazing coach, amazing mentor to
(08:49):
kids and should be recognized by this community as the
amazing person that he is.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Yeah, as soon as he can get on the ballot,
he should be in the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame
for sure, and no question, you know, and a lot
of other hall of fames. I know that he's had
a lot of work I think with Iroquois High School
and other places. I mean, he and he is a
very motivational person. I mean, I've seen him in he
(09:18):
is you go run through a wolf for him, that's
for sure. And of course we're wishing.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
You ever watch him in practice or a game, or
in his locker room with his kids. He's the same
way when he's talking to people or out in the
you know, the community. And I mean that's what I
think draws so many people to him, you know, just
because of his positivity and his attitude and his his
wanting to help and make change.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
I remember one time he let me sit on the
right behind the bench, you know, experience that, you know,
and I'm doing sports at that time, and then go
on in to the locker room and listen to his
speech and everything else. I mean, nobody gives you that
kind of access, you know, and really it's really open.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
Look at there all the time. It's amazing.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
Yeah, it's gonna be tough for him to stay out
of the gym. I think we'll see how how that goes.
But you know, he's got a he's got a pretty
good guy in a backup there with Doug.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
Yeah, I'm looking I'm cheering, be cheering for Doug too.
I'm sure he'll do a wonderful job.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
All right, Well, I just wanted to I know that
you have fun memories with the coach Davenport, and you
know we all do that know him and knew him
and are looking forward to seeing what he does. He's
not gonna stay still, that's for sure here in the
little No.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
I doubt that at all. I doubt that at all.
So yeah, and now we look to this week and say,
go cards, right, Tony.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
That's exactly right. And what about Pat Kelsey?
Speaker 2 (10:46):
What a job he did you absolutely well, absolutely amazing.
I mean I'm just blowing away and motivated by him.
I saw I got to see his practice a week
or two ago, and I mean, you talk about energy,
my goodness. So just just so fired up about the cards.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
And it looks like Chucky will be able to whenever
he lately, you know, doesn't put on the laces anymore.
It looks like he's gonna be one of those guys
that's gonna have a car a lot. He's gonna have
his own pizza house, probably a bourbon and everything else
when he comes back here.
Speaker 2 (11:18):
Now, and you can do whatever he wants, it will be.
Speaker 1 (11:21):
I think you're right, you know, Hill in an insurance
company too. I mean, there's no telling what this guy's
gonna have. All Right, Marty, it's always good to talk
to you.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
Thanks for joining us to have a good one, buddy.
Speaker 1 (11:30):
All Right, you too. That's Marty Piolio here on news
radio eight forty w h A s
Good morning. I'm Tony Cruz along with doctor Marty Polio,
(00:03):
JCPS Superintendent and Marty. First of all, thanks for coming
back on. I always enjoyed talking to you and I
hope you're having a good day today.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Tony, It's great, great, always great talking to you. I
only think I officially only have a few more of
these left, which I've always enjoyed doing this.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
Well, thank you, appreciate you being a part of the show.
Well let's talk first of all, right out of the
box once again about the Department of Education. Some people
haven't heard our interviews in the past, and the other
thing is what is this going to mean in the
short term and long term.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Well, I think, speaking for my colleagues across the nation
as we have collaborated together often and statewide as well,
we really don't know a whole lot. I mean, we
are going under a whole lot of assumptions or just
guess is really about what's next or what's going to happen.
You know, we hear one week that its Department of
(01:03):
Education will be dismantled. The next week, it's not going
to be dismantled. It's only going to get smaller. So
you know, we're not real sure right now. And as
I've told you before, I mean I think this is true.
I mean I have my frustrations on some things with
the US Department of Education, especially when we look at
accountability and the demand that puts on states to follow
(01:25):
their guideline so to speak, on accountability, and that becomes
frustrating often. I know it's frustrating at the state level.
I don't know if a lot of people will say that,
but I'm in my final few months and can say it.
But I think the biggest concern for most of us
is that funding that comes from the US Department of
Education or the FEDS, I should say, it's run through
(01:46):
the US Department of Education. That is really for Title IE,
which are our poorest students, IDEA which is our special
ed students. And then nutrition services or the meals that
we give to kids. So you know, these are three
funding sources that are anyone. Any district, whether it's a city,
(02:07):
whether it's suburban or rural, will tell you that these
are critical funds for kids to be successful. So I
think our just our once again is you know, we
don't know. We'd like to have more information, so we're
just we're like everybody else, kind of waiting to hear
a little.
Speaker 1 (02:22):
Bit more so with Title one, as I understand, the
Department of Education doesn't need to be around that. It
may be it will fall into place, you know, under
another construct or another bureaucracy, whatever the case may be.
Is that what you've been told?
Speaker 2 (02:41):
Yeah, I mean that once again we're not getting like
real solid information. I mean our assumption is, yes, the
US Department of Education doesn't need to do that. It
could be provided to the states either where they provided
or it could be given to another federal you know,
entity or branch to be the money as well. So
(03:02):
you know, I don't think that, in my mind, is
a mandate that it has to be the Department of Education.
But you know, when this change kind of change occurs,
we're all very nervous about what that's going to mean.
Because I can just say these funds, I mean, are
one hundred and fifty five schools Tony. I think one
hundred and thirty five of them qualify as Title on schools,
(03:24):
meaning high poverty schools. It has to be over a
certain percentage, and these funds really provide support for our
kids in our highest need schools, So yeah, I think
it could be done somewhere else.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
When you say support, does that mean reading is fundamental?
Does that mean reading programs, scholarships or for those students
who may be somewhat challenge maybe job placement through other means.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
It's mostly direct support at the school level is what
most of title IE is. And so what you're looking
usually at is reading in math, supports for programs. You
could be looking at supports to support kids in need
in a variety of areas. It is technically supposed to
be you know, driven towards reading and math. So it's
(04:10):
you know, it's academic related and so you know, but
it is critical for the success of a lot of
our students.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
Indeed, let's talk a little bit about apparently some bus
service is going to be returning here fairly shortly, about
six days from now.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
Yeah, yeah, next week, we got about eleven hundred students
that are having buses returned. We went through the long
process of getting some tart drivers, about seventy of them
on boarded and so, and then we polled all those
who lost transportation services, and honestly, I was really surprised, Tony.
(04:45):
We had about only about a third of those eligible
for the bringback asked for bus service back, and so
that was a little surprising to me. I was expecting
a lot more. I think what happened was once the
year started and people worked out transportation, and then on
top of that, the stipend that we're given to families,
(05:06):
families chose that instead of the bus. So we've got
about eleven hundred that are coming back, which is good.
And so next Monday that starts and we've got the
routes all drawn up and stops for kids and everything
like that. So excited to bring that back next week
as well.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
With doctor Marty Polio. We'll be back for another segment
here in just a couple of minutes on news Radio
eight forty whas. Good morning, I'm Tony Cruz with doctor
Marty Polio here at news Radio eight forty Whas. Marty,
I didn't want to ask you about a lot of
the Jefferson County Public School leaders are trying to get
(05:43):
a proposal for a new potential site for the district headquarters.
Do you have any thoughts about where that building if
it is going to be a possibility where we.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Go, Well, I mean, we have needed this has been
a part of our facilities planned for since I've taken over.
And maybe farther night. We're in a building, central office
building that's falling apart being really kept together, I mean
literally with tape. And so we have two choices. We
have to make you to renovate that building, which would
(06:15):
cost it could cost an excess of thirty million dollars,
or find a new spot to do that. And so
we haven't really said we're doing. We put out an
RFP Request for a proposal to get some ideas on
where that might be. I know that many in the city,
including the mayor, would love for us to move downtown
to bring you know, some folks into the downtown area
(06:38):
during the day. And on top of that, we could
we are we have three different buildings around town, one
for operations, one for more of the academic and HR
and upper or you know that type of thing. And
so what we would do was sell all our buildings
and actually we would save money by moving someplace else
and be able to put that money back back towards
(07:00):
students as opposed to renovating our central office building. So
we have you know, we haven't decided on anything like
that we're just kind of feeling that out to see
what's out there and how financially we could do it
where it really wouldn't cost us any money because we
would be selling our other office buildings. All right.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
In your former life, you were a tremendous basketball coach.
You and I y I got out Tony, you and
I know you were you were great. And then you
and I know one of the best basketball coaches on
the planet, and that's our buddy, Scotty Davenport. I know
he's been a longtime friend of yours. I don't know
if he mentored you some er, but he's mented a
(07:40):
lot of people, including students in JCPS.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Yeah, I think coach Davenport who I would consider to
be on the I mean, we have to say the
mount rushmore of coaches in this community all time. I mean,
how many have won a state championship and a national championship.
It's just it's amazing and so just an absolute amazing coach.
(08:05):
He worked for my dad when I was in high
school at Virginia Commonwealth University and so known him since
I was a kid and definitely has mentored me and
throughout the years. I mean he has just been behind
me and supported me, and when things are tough, he's
the first one to text me. But I think more
importantly than all of that would Coach Davenport. I don't
know of anyone who is more president in JCPS schools
(08:26):
in the community than Coach Davenport. If a principal calls
and says, come speak to my could you come speak
to this group or that group or my whole student body,
Coach Davenport is there, or from his old school, Fraser Elementary,
which is the principal calls him and he's mentoring a
kid and she says he's having a tough time, and
he's right over there at the school meeting with the kids.
So you know, he's been amazing coach, amazing mentor to
(08:49):
kids and should be recognized by this community as the
amazing person that he is.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Yeah, as soon as he can get on the ballot,
he should be in the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame
for sure, and no question, you know, and a lot
of other hall of fames. I know that he's had
a lot of work I think with Iroquois High School
and other places. I mean, he and he is a
very motivational person. I mean, I've seen him in he
(09:18):
is you go run through a wolf for him, that's
for sure. And of course we're wishing.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
You ever watch him in practice or a game, or
in his locker room with his kids. He's the same
way when he's talking to people or out in the
you know, the community. And I mean that's what I
think draws so many people to him, you know, just
because of his positivity and his attitude and his his
wanting to help and make change.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
I remember one time he let me sit on the
right behind the bench, you know, experience that, you know,
and I'm doing sports at that time, and then go
on in to the locker room and listen to his
speech and everything else. I mean, nobody gives you that
kind of access, you know, and really it's really open.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
Look at there all the time. It's amazing.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
Yeah, it's gonna be tough for him to stay out
of the gym. I think we'll see how how that goes.
But you know, he's got a he's got a pretty
good guy in a backup there with Doug.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
Yeah, I'm looking I'm cheering, be cheering for Doug too.
I'm sure he'll do a wonderful job.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
All right, Well, I just wanted to I know that
you have fun memories with the coach Davenport, and you
know we all do that know him and knew him
and are looking forward to seeing what he does. He's
not gonna stay still, that's for sure here in the
little No.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
I doubt that at all. I doubt that at all.
So yeah, and now we look to this week and say,
go cards, right, Tony.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
That's exactly right. And what about Pat Kelsey?
Speaker 2 (10:46):
What a job he did you absolutely well, absolutely amazing.
I mean I'm just blowing away and motivated by him.
I saw I got to see his practice a week
or two ago, and I mean, you talk about energy,
my goodness. So just just so fired up about the cards.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
And it looks like Chucky will be able to whenever
he lately, you know, doesn't put on the laces anymore.
It looks like he's gonna be one of those guys
that's gonna have a car a lot. He's gonna have
his own pizza house, probably a bourbon and everything else
when he comes back here.
Speaker 2 (11:18):
Now, and you can do whatever he wants, it will be.
Speaker 1 (11:21):
I think you're right, you know, Hill in an insurance
company too. I mean, there's no telling what this guy's
gonna have. All Right, Marty, it's always good to talk
to you.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
Thanks for joining us to have a good one, buddy.
Speaker 1 (11:30):
All Right, you too. That's Marty Piolio here on news
radio eight forty w h A s
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