FRANKFORT, KY (WAVE) – The Kentucky Supreme Court ruled on Thursday to uphold Jefferson County Public Schools' student assignment plan, maintaining that students have no legal right to attend any particular school.
Justice Lisabeth Hughes Abramson wrote that state law is clear that school districts across Kentucky have the authority to distribute students throughout the district based on what the board views is the best method.
Thursday's decision overturns a Kentucky Court of Appeals ruling tossing out the student assignment plan in the state's largest school district.
The parents of fourteen Jefferson County schoolchildren had sued JCPS claiming their children had a right to attend the public school nearest their home.
Abramson wrote that the plaintiffs in the case may use the ballot box to alter the plans.
"While we will always respect the decision by the majority of the justices at the Kentucky Supreme Court, we have to wonder at the obvious attempts by JCPS to influence this decision by JCPS (ever)changing student assignment plans," said attorney Ted Gordon who represents the parents who sued the school district.
"With each new plan," Gordon continued, "JCPS has inched closer to neighborhood schools, which they realize that parents want and children need to improve the horrendous education that our children are now getting."
Gordon called the parents who sued the district "courageous" in taking on the school system, stating, "they have made JCPS turn the corner, away from the outdated social experiment of busing. Now these parents are hopeful that JCPS will start improving the education outcome for all our children."
Byron Leet, the attorney representing JCPS in this case issued a statement which read, "It's a victory for the school district and we're grateful for it. We are grateful for Kentucky's highest court confirming that the trial court was absolutely correct to dismiss those lawsuits."
Click here to read the Kentucky Supreme Court's full ruling.
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