JCPS Bus Info Hotline Now Open for Parents

Jefferson County Public Schools: Key Information for Parents Ahead of the School Year

As the first day of classes for Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) approaches in just under two weeks, parents are likely seeking essential information about transportation and other school-related matters. One of the most critical resources available is the JCPS bus information hotline, which has been set up to assist families with their questions.

Parents can now reach out to district staff members by calling 502-485-RIDE (7433). The phone lines will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, through the first few days of school. This service is designed to help families understand their child’s transportation details, including the specific bus number, stop location, and estimated pick-up and drop-off times.

Rachel Scott, director of 485-RIDE, emphasized the importance of parents checking their child’s transportation portal as soon as possible. “Look at your child's bus stop. If something seems wrong, we need to know about it now so that we can fix it by next week,” she said. Families are encouraged to review this information promptly to ensure there are no issues that could disrupt their child’s commute.

The hotline has already seen high demand, with over 600 calls received on its first day of operation. Despite this, Scott noted that the team has been able to answer approximately 90% of the questions they receive. For more complex inquiries, the staff uses a ticketing system to route the issue to the appropriate department, which then follows up with the family.

In addition to the transportation support, JCPS is also preparing for a new era under the leadership of Dr. Brian Yearwood, who recently became the district’s new superintendent. He officially took over on July 1 and has already begun engaging with the community.

Starting Monday night, Dr. Yearwood will host a series of community meetings titled “Community Conversations.” These events aim to introduce him to students and their families while gathering feedback and addressing concerns. The schedule for these meetings includes:

• Monday, July 28: Seneca High School, 5:30 - 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 30: Fairdale High School, 5:30 - 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, August 12: Valley High School, 5:30 - 7 p.m.
• Saturday, August 16: Male High School, 10 - 11:30 a.m.
• Thursday, August 21: Ballard High School, 5:30 - 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, August 26: Jeffersontown High School, 5:30 - 7 p.m.
• Thursday, September 4: Academy @ Shawnee, 5:30 - 7 p.m.

These gatherings provide an opportunity for families to connect directly with the new superintendent and share their thoughts and concerns.

For those needing assistance with transportation, the hotline hours have been adjusted slightly as the school year begins. Here is the updated schedule:

Hotline Hours of Operation

Week 1
- July 28 (Monday): 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- July 29 (Tuesday): 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- July 30 (Wednesday): 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- July 31 (Thursday): 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- August 1 (Friday): 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Week 2
- August 4 (Monday): 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- August 5 (Tuesday): 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- August 6 (Wednesday): 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- August 7 (Thursday): 6 a.m. - All Clear
- August 8 (Friday): 6 a.m. - All Clear

Week 3
- August 11 (Monday): 6 a.m. - All Clear
- August 12 (Tuesday): 6 a.m. - All Clear
- August 13 (Wednesday): 6 a.m. - All Clear
- August 14 (Thursday): 6 a.m. - All Clear
- August 15 (Friday): 6 a.m. - All Clear

This extended availability ensures that parents have ample time to get their questions answered before the school year starts. With these resources in place, JCPS is working to make the transition to the new academic year as smooth as possible for all families.