The Kentucky Supreme Court affirmed a lower court ruling that struck down a state statute treating Jefferson County's public school district differently from all other school districts in Kentucky, finding the law violated the state constitution's equal treatment requirements.
In *Russell Coleman v. Jefferson County Board of Education*, decided Dec. 19, 2024, the court held that the statute violated Section 59 of the Kentucky Constitution by creating arbitrary distinctions between Jefferson County and other public school districts without reasonable justification.
The case arose when Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman challenged lower court decisions that found the statute unconstitutional. The Jefferson County Board of Education and Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher were named as appellees in the dispute.
According to the opinion written by Justice Bisig, the central constitutional issue was whether the legislature could treat one school district differently from all others without reasonable basis. The court found the statute "without reason deprives the Jefferson County Board of Education of powers available to all other public school districts in the Commonwealth."
The law also created an unusual power imbalance by granting Jefferson County's superintendent certain powers that were denied to superintendents in all other Kentucky districts. This dual system of unequal treatment formed the basis for the constitutional challenge.
The Kentucky Supreme Court noted its respect for legislative authority while emphasizing constitutional limits. "It is the role of our elected legislature to make public policy decisions via laws aimed for the betterment of our communities and institutions," the court wrote. "This Court should and does give great deference to the propriety of duly enacted statutes."
However, the court stressed its duty to ensure legislative decisions comply with constitutional requirements. "We are also duty bound to ensure that legislative decisions stay within the important mandates of our Kentucky Constitution," Justice Bisig wrote.
The opinion specifically addressed the problem of singling out one county for different treatment. "When, as here, that legislative aim is focused on one and only one county without any articulable reasonable basis, the enactment violates Sections 59 and 60 of our Constitution," the court held.
The constitutional violations centered on the arbitrary nature of the distinctions created by the statute. Section 59 of the Kentucky Constitution requires equal treatment of similarly situated entities by state government. The court found no reasonable basis for treating Jefferson County differently from Kentucky's other 172 public school districts.
The case originated in Jefferson Circuit Court, where the trial court first ruled the statute unconstitutional. The Kentucky Court of Appeals affirmed that decision before Attorney General Coleman appealed to the state's highest court.
Jefferson County represents Kentucky's largest school district, serving the Louisville metropolitan area with approximately 98,000 students. The district has faced various legislative challenges over the years, particularly regarding governance structure and local control issues.
The Supreme Court's decision reinforces constitutional principles requiring equal treatment of government entities. By striking down the discriminatory statute, the court ensured Jefferson County schools operate under the same legal framework as other Kentucky districts.
The ruling affects the balance of power between the Jefferson County school board and superintendent, restoring the same governance structure used throughout Kentucky's other districts. This standardization eliminates the special regulatory regime that had applied only to Jefferson County.
The court's emphasis on requiring "articulable reasonable basis" for differential treatment sets an important precedent for future legislative actions affecting individual counties or districts. Lawmakers must now provide clear justification for any laws that single out specific jurisdictions for different treatment.
The decision also highlights ongoing tensions between state oversight and local control in Kentucky education policy. While the legislature retains broad authority over public education, this ruling establishes firmer constitutional boundaries on discriminatory treatment of individual districts.
Attorney General Coleman's office has not indicated whether further appeals are planned, though the Kentucky Supreme Court represents the final authority on state constitutional questions. The ruling takes immediate effect, requiring any discriminatory provisions to be eliminated from state law.
The Jefferson County Board of Education and Commissioner Fletcher prevailed in defending against the constitutional challenge. The decision preserves local governance autonomy while ensuring equal treatment under Kentucky law.
This case demonstrates the Kentucky Supreme Court's willingness to enforce constitutional equality requirements even when reviewing education policy decisions. The ruling protects both Jefferson County from discriminatory treatment and other districts from arbitrary exclusions from legislative benefits.