Louisville, Ky. — Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) has spent more than $4.5 million on transportation stipends since the program’s inception, according to an Open Records Request filed with the district. These stipends, designed to help families with transportation costs, were offered to families who transported their children to and from school throughout the school year.
The transportation stipends provide $5 per day for most families, with those whose children qualify for free or reduced lunch receiving $10 per day. The program was launched to alleviate the financial burden on families who opted to drive their children to school rather than rely on district-provided buses, which have been facing issues with availability and capacity.
In October and December, JCPS issued stipends to families whose children attended school in August, September, October, and November. However, delays have caused some families to still await payments for students attending school in December, January, and February.
While the district had initially projected that the program could cost as much as $7.6 million, the current expenditure has not yet reached that estimate. Nevertheless, the ongoing payments and logistical delays have raised questions about the long-term financial sustainability and effectiveness of the program.
The stipends are seen as a temporary solution to address transportation challenges within the district. With some families yet to receive their payments for recent months, concerns about the timely distribution of funds remain. As the school year progresses, JCPS will likely face additional scrutiny regarding the program’s administration and potential need for improvement.
Despite these issues, the transportation stipend program highlights the district’s attempt to address the ongoing challenges in providing adequate transportation for all students. However, as the cost of the program continues to rise, questions linger about whether this initiative will provide long-term relief or whether more comprehensive solutions will be needed to address transportation concerns across the district.
