Jefferson County Public Schools administrators are developing uniform, district-wide general lists of supplies all students will need next month when classes resume.Schools haven't released supply lists yet, possibly to the consternationof parents wanting to get a jump start before the first day of classes on Aug. 13.A top JCPS academic official said the general school supplies list will be beneficial to parents.Dewey Hensley, JCPS’ chief academic officer, told WFPL on Thursday that the various supply lists sent by each of the district's schools has varied widely for years.“Some schools have no supply list and some schools ask for $50-$60 worth of materials,” Hensley said.The idea is to create equity among JCPS schools, he said.He added the lists will include just the “fundamental things” a student will need when classes resume in the fall.A group of assistant superintendents and principal is collaborating to create lists tailored to elementary, middle and high school students, Hensley said.The reworking of school supply lists is also a response to the recommendation that stemmed from the state auditor report on the district from earlier this year.Jefferson County Board of Education members applauded the district’s effort to respond to the audit.“It’s great that the district is responding so quickly,” said board member David Jones Jr., who represents District 2.Board member Chris Brady, who represents District 7, said it is a good step to ensure the district does not get to the point where “we are funding our public schools on the backs of our parents.”The lists should be available to parents by next week, Hensley said.
