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Board approves junior athletic director program after brief Q&A on career pathway expectations
Summary
The board approved consent calendar item C3, establishing a junior athletic director program for 10th–11th graders with experiential certifications and a University of Louisville partnership; board members asked whether the program is intended to serve as a direct pathway to athletic director jobs.
The Jefferson County Board of Education approved consent item C3 to establish a junior athletic director program designed to give 10th- and 11th-grade students hands-on experience in athletics leadership and management.
Board member Miss Duncan asked whether the program was intended to train students directly for athletic director positions, noting typical athletic director pathways involve teaching and coaching experience. Dr. Marshall (responding for staff) said the program is meant primarily as experiential access and leadership development; certificates from the University of Louisville will indicate the students have “experienced a bigger level of athletic directing and management and leadership,” but staff did not say the certificates guarantee college-and-career readiness for athletic director positions. Presenters noted participating students will earn certifications such as first aid and CPR and will work with JCPS athletic directors and U of L Athletics at events to gain practical experience.
Miss Duncan moved to approve consent item C3; Mr. Everett seconded the motion. The chair announced, “Ayes have it.” The consent calendar had been approved earlier minus C3; C3 was then considered and approved separately.
Staff identified initial participating schools and students by name during recognitions earlier in the meeting (Ballard, Central, Fairdale, Fern Creek, PRP, Western among others). Board members and staff characterized the program as an access and leadership opportunity that could serve as an introduction for students interested in athletics administration but not as a substitute for the district’s existing professional pathways into athletic director roles.
The board approved C3 as part of the consent process; staff will implement the program through the department of diversity, equity, and poverty in partnership with University of Louisville Athletics and JCPS athletic directors.
