Updated Oct. 1, 2024 - This will be the last school year for Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio. In an emailed letter to JCPS staff on September 27th, Pollio announced that he is retiring effective July 1, 2025. Pollio told employees "It has been the honor of my lifetime to represent this wonderful district and all the incredible students, staff, and families as the superintendent." He also cited the challenges and successes during his seven year tenure heading JCPS. You can read Pollio's letter later in this story.
Pollio talked to reporters about his retirement plans a few days after his announcement, telling them "This is a very difficult job......My family has been encouraging me to do this for awhile."
The superintendent said he wanted to reveal his plans early enough to give the Jefferson County Board of Education the chance to search for and hire the next superintendent by the time he leaves.
Pollio has spent 30 years in public education as a teacher, coach, principal and superintendent. He said his proudest accomplishments as the leader of JCPS have been resiliency in the face of criticism from many sides and implementing major changes including:
Starting the nationally-recognized Academies of Louisville
Installing a districtwide literacy and numeracy program
Overhauling the student assignment plan
Building new schools and athletic facilities
Pollio said "It's the students, families and staff that make this a great school district" adding that his wife can tell the days he's been inside schools because those are the days he comes home the happiest.
"When I get to go into schools and interact with kids that's what has kept me going," Pollio said.
He also shared some advice for the next JCPS superintendent:
"They better have thick skin"
Stay off social media and local news because the negative voices you hear could skew your decision-making
Be passionate about the work and be willing to fight for what's best for students
Pollio is 53 years old. He said he doesn't plan to fully retire and will be looking to remain a "champion for public education" in some way.
Below is the letter Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio sent to JCPS staff on September 27, 2024.
*I began crafting this letter about a month ago. It has taken me this long to complete it as I get emotional every time I return to the letter. I picked this day to send it out to the JCPS family, not anticipating canceling school today. However, it is probably appropriate with all the challenges we have tackled together over the last 7+ years.
JCPS Family,
In the summer of 2017, I began this incredible journey with you as I was named the acting superintendent of Jefferson County Public Schools. I started in JCPS as a social studies teacher in 1997 at Shawnee High School. At no time throughout my journey in four different high schools and a multitude of positions did I think I would become the superintendent. Even in the spring of 2017, I was surprised that I was interviewing for the position. Over seven years later, it has been the honor of my lifetime to represent this wonderful district and all the incredible students, staff, and families as the superintendent.
In all candor, and as I’m sure you are aware, the journey has not been an easy one. Together, we have traversed through two of the largest crises in the history of public education. As a result of the pandemic and severe staffing shortages, our jobs have become much more difficult. Through all the major challenges, I am so proud of the accomplishments we have made together for the students of this community. As a superintendent, it would have been easier to keep the status quo. Change is very hard. But I am extremely proud that we made the decision to make the most substantial changes in the history of JCPS despite many challenges. I truly believe that these changes will result in decades of improved outcomes for our students.
Just a few of the major accomplishments we have made together include: a new student assignment plan, a new facility plan that includes the building of 24 new school buildings over the next decade, an enhanced safety and security plan that includes the creation of the JCPS Police Department with 55 police officers, the passing of the first tax increase above 4% in the history of JCPS which brought in much needed funding, proliferation of nationally recognized models with the Academies of Louisville and Explore Pathways, additional levels of support for students and schools (MHPs, ICs, SAs, School Nurses, etc.), a focus on racial equity to improve student outcomes for our historically underserved population, development of the Backpack League summer learning program, an aligned literacy and numeracy plan across all JCPS schools, a technology overhaul in our schools for staff and students, new athletic facilities for all high schools, 14% increase in pay for all employees over the past four years, including stipends for those in enhance support schools, and successfully navigating through numerous audits and pushing back on attacks from Frankfort since 2017. I truly believe that these changes have led and will lead to improved outcomes for the children of this community.
But, in every leader’s journey, there comes a time to turn the page and move on to the next chapter in your life. And that time is quickly approaching for me. My tenure as superintendent of JCPS has lasted longer than 96% of the superintendents in the Council of the Great City Schools, which encompasses the 80 largest school districts in the United States. The average tenure for large district superintendents is now less than 18 months. I am proud that I have served the last eight years in this position given the immense challenges that public school districts face. If it weren’t for the amazing students of this district, I would not have had the strength and motivation to persevere. I have truly given them my all. I also could not have done this without the support of all the incredible educators and employees in this district and the positive words and encouragement from so many of you. Although not perfect, we have an incredible school district where all of you give so much to meet the needs of ALL children in this community. We need to stand together with pride in that fact.
I wrote all employees a letter on July 2, 2017 expressing my honor to start as superintendent of JCPS. And now I want the JCPS family to be the first to know that this will be my final year as superintendent. I will be retiring effective July 1, 2025. In the summer of 2022, I gave the board of education a three-year commitment. This is the final year of that three-year agreement. I had planned since that time for the 2024-25 school year to be my final one. However, this will not be the end of my time in education. I hope to continue positively influencing public education moving forward in Kentucky and even at the national level. I am announcing at this time to give our board of education and community the time needed to select a candidate that will continue the forward progress and momentum we have made over these past eight years. Although I am announcing my retirement for the end of this school year, I want you all to know that I will not let up in my passion for this district over the next nine months. As I have always preached, I will be sprinting through the finish line!
Once again, it has been the honor of my professional career to serve as your superintendent. I have given every ounce of myself to this role as I know so many of you do daily. Although there have been challenges over my tenure, no one can ever question my passion, fight, and love for Jefferson County Public Schools.
Thank you again for the opportunity to serve you over the last eight years.
Sincerely,
Martin Pollio, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Jefferson County Public Schools