Get the Facts: How did JCPS end up in a $188 million deficit?

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —

Tough decisions are on the horizon for JCPS as the district faces a $188 million budget deficit.

The district's revenue is $1,609,751,118, while its expenses are $1,798,213,875, according to information provided at a board meeting on Sept. 16.

So, how did they get there?

There are a few different reasons.

First, district leaders say there are some one-time expenses totaling $118,000,000 that have contributed to the deficit over the last five years, such as annual facilities improvements, audio enhancements (education paging and intercom communications), improvements to athletic fields, installation of the weapons detection systems, and elementary school playground projects.

There have also been increased recurrent expenses over the past five years, totaling $261,826