Greater Louisville Inc. issued the below statement following the Kentucky Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 1, an act relating to education.

“GLI applauds the Kentucky Senate for passing Senate Bill 1 to grant superintendents greater executive and hiring authority, better equipping leaders in systems like JCPS to more effectively address persistent challenges and improve student outcomes. This marks an important step toward a more effective educational system and investment in a more well-rounded workforce for our region. We look forward to working closely with legislators to secure final passage of this bill in the 2026 session.”

– Shelby Somervell, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and External Relations, Greater Louisville Inc.

SB1, filed by President Pro Tempore David Givens and Senate Education Chair Steve West addresses governance within Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS). This legislation comes in response to the recent Kentucky Supreme Court decision overturning 2022’s SB 1, which aimed to shift substantial operation authority from the school board to the superintendent. The basis of the Court’s rehearing and overturning of the case was based on the Kentucky Constitutional prohibition on “special” and “local” legislation and found that the legislation was “special legislation” without a sufficient need to treat the district differently. The 2026 iteration addresses these concerns expressed by the Court about the sufficient need to treat JCPS differently.

In the 2026 language key duties and executive functions, such as personnel management, financial operations, and strategic plan implementation, are assigned to the superintendent, subject to board oversight. Notably, the superintendent can approve certain financial transactions up to $250,000 without explicit board consent. The board’s role is redefined to focus on strategic planning and performance oversight, meeting no more than once every four weeks for administrative approvals.

GLI actively supported the 2022 version SB 1 in its passage and by submitting an amicus brief in favor of the law at the Supreme Court.

---

About Greater Louisville Inc.

Greater Louisville Inc. is the Metro Chamber of Commerce and represents 15 counties in Kentucky and Indiana. GLI’s mission is to grow businesses and the regional economy. GLI supports businesses during every stage of development and represents the collective needs of the business community by advocating for pro-growth policies and economic development investment, and deploying programming centered around attracting and developing talent and economic inclusion. GLI is the 2019 National Chamber of the Year and is one of only three percent of chambers nationally certified with 5-star accreditation status by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Learn more on social media @GLIchamber or visit www.greaterlouisville.com.