A new radio ad is taking aim at the Jefferson County Teachers Association ahead of its contract negotiations with the school district.As WFPL's Devin Katayama reported earlier this week, Kids First Louisville is trying to raise awareness about the upcoming talks while criticizing the union's contract. Leaders with Kids First argue the JCTA bargain is one of the more restrictive agreements in the country and blocks needed reforms at low-performing schools.The 60-second spot will begin airing Tuesday and run for about two weeks.It says the city's public schools are failing children and slams "union bosses" for putting their needs ahead of students. It also focuses on comments made by Kentucky Education Commissioner Terry Holliday, who said the worst performing schools in Jefferson County were committing "academic genocide" against students.Listen:"Our objective is to serve as a voice for the parents and more than 100,000 students attending Louisville’s public schools," Kids First Louisville President David Nicklies said in a news release. "For too long we have allowed the desires of union bosses to trump the needs of children, so we will shine a light on that disparity with our campaign and urge the school board members to take action."Kids First points out a number of troubling JCPS statistics such as a dropout rate nearly double the state average and that less than half of high schools graduates are considered ready for college."These are sobering statistics, due in part as Commissioner Holliday has stated, to the barriers created by the JCTA contract," says Nicklies. "It is our hope that this contract negotiation will put the needs of students first."The JCTA contract negotiations begin June 3.(Image via Shutterstock)
