2026 Kentucky General Election

Gay Adelmann, a mother who has founded several education organizations like Dear JCPS, wants a different approach to guns on campus. Her son graduated from the magnet program at Shawnee.

Decision 2022: Where JCPS District 3 candidates stand on the issues

The Academy @ Shawnee
2. Adelmann, Gay P. Academic Coordinator
The Academy @ Shawnee

THIS BOARD AGENDA CONTAINS INFORMATION FOR CERTIFIED AND CLASSIFIED PERSONNEL THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT BEGINNIN

Gay P. Adelmann is listed as an academic coordinator at The Academy @ Shawnee.

Gay is listed as an academic coordinator at The Academy @ Shawnee.

Adelmann previously ran for the District 3 school board seat in 2022, receiving about 9% of the vote. She most recently ran in the Republican primary for Kentucky's 2nd Congressional District in May.

Former JCPS board member seeks to remove candidate from ballot

Gay most recently ran in the Republican primary for Kentucky's 2nd Congressional District in May. She previously ran for the District 3 school board seat in 2022, receiving about 9% of the vote.

As of September 15, 2026, Gay P. Adelmann did not have a website or any information online.

Access to Education

School Curriculum

School Facilities & Resources

Gay Adelmann, a mother who has founded several education organizations like Dear JCPS, wants a different approach to guns on campus. Her son graduated from the magnet program at Shawnee. She says many of these students do not feel safe on their way to and from school and that should be the focus. “A student might have something in their pocket that flags the system and the next thing you know we’re arresting our students when all they were there to do is go to school. They weren’t there to cause harm. So we have to look, we have to break it down. We can’t treat every situation the same, what are the root causes and then what are we doing to address the fact that students need to carry guns to feel safe,” said Adelmann.

Advocates for individualized responses focused on root causes of student gun possession and for addressing why students feel unsafe.

- Advocates for individualized responses focused on root causes of student gun possession and for addressing why students feel unsafe.

Student Wellbeing

Teachers

Facebook

Gay P. Adelmann

As of September 15, 2026, Gay P. Adelmann’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

I live in northeast Louisville and am running because this is a critical moment for JCPS — a serious budget crisis, major changes to board structure and superintendent authority, and decisions about school closures and program cuts that will affect students and communities for years. These decisions deserve rigorous, evidence-based scrutiny.

Neil Seftor for JCPS District 3 (Neil Seftor)

## Education

### PhD

University of Virginia

Neil Seftor | NORC at the University of Chicago

Neil Seftor lives in northeast Louisville. He earned a bachelor's degree, master's degree, and Ph.D. from the University of Virginia.

About
I’m an economist with more than 25 years of experience in education research and evaluation. As an Associate Director at NORC at the University of Chicago, a nonpartisan research organization, I study whether education programs and policies actually produce results for students — and what the evidence says when they don’t.

Neil Seftor currently works as an associate director at NORC at the University of Chicago and is an economist specializing in education research and evaluation.

Neil currently works as an associate director at NORC at the University of Chicago and is an economist specializing in education research and evaluation.

As of September 15, 2026, Neil Seftor’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Platform
Cuts should fall on administration and inefficient infrastructure — not on classrooms, programs, or the people who directly serve students. Consolidating underutilized, aging buildings can make financial sense, but only if the programs those schools provide follow the students. Closing a building while eliminating the program it housed is a double cut, and it is often students who can least afford it who pay the price.

Platform
I am open to a tax referendum, but the district needs to earn it first — by demonstrating that existing resources are being managed responsibly and that classrooms and educators are being protected. JCPS likely needs more resources over the long term, but the trust has to be built first.

Platform
The board must exercise meaningful, independent oversight of the superintendent rather than deferring to administration. A board that engages with data, asks hard questions, and holds the district accountable for outcomes is what JCPS needs right now.

Supports directing budget cuts to administration and inefficient infrastructure rather than classrooms, student programs, or staff who serve students.

Supports consolidating underused, aging school buildings only if their programs continue to serve affected students.

Is open to a district tax referendum after the district demonstrates responsible resource management and protects classrooms and educators.

Calls for the school board to independently oversee the superintendent and hold the district accountable for outcomes.

- Supports directing budget cuts to administration and inefficient infrastructure rather than classrooms, student programs, or staff who serve students.
- Supports consolidating underused, aging school buildings only if their programs continue to serve affected students.
- Is open to a district tax referendum after the district demonstrates responsible resource management and protects classrooms and educators.
- Calls for the school board to independently oversee the superintendent and hold the district accountable for outcomes.

Neil Seftor

Taylor Everett ran unopposed and will represent District 7 on the board. His wife was a teacher and assistant in JCPS for 10 years and his daughter is a sophomore attending Ballard High School. He is currently the director of government services for the consulting agency Eight Eleven Group.

2 new board members join Jefferson County Board of Education for first time following election

Taylor Everett has a daughter who attends Ballard High School.

2 new board members to join Jefferson County Board of Education ...

Taylor Everett currently works as the director of government services for the consulting agency Eight Eleven Group.

Taylor currently works as the director of government services for the consulting agency Eight Eleven Group.

Senate Bill 4, which passed and took effect in 2026, required the Jefferson County Board of Education (JCBE) to restructure its seven-member board into five newly established district and at-large positions. To resolve residency overlaps, state law called for members residing in the same new district to draw lots to determine representation. During the JCBE work session on May 12, 2026, board members in Districts 1, 3, and 4 drew lots to determine the representative for each district.

District 1: Tricia Lister
District 2: Corrie Shull (Board Chair)
District 3: Taylor Everett
District 4: Trevin Bass
District 5: Gail Logan Strange
At-Large Member: Linda Duncan
At-Large Member: Keith Look

Board of Education | Jefferson County Public Schools

Everett ran as an Independent for Louisville Mayor in the 2022 election, taking less than 600 votes.

After a rocky year, ten people vie for spots on JCPS’ school board

Taylor currently serves on the Jefferson County Board of Education, representing District 3. He previously ran as an Independent for Louisville mayor in 2022, receiving fewer than 600 votes.

Two JCPS school board candidates filed in wrong districts

Start Times

We must find a way to do away with the 9:40 start time.

Home (Everett for JCPS)

Wants to end the district's 9:40 school start time.

- Wants to end the district's 9:40 school start time.

Screen addiction and digital distractions have no place in our classrooms. I fought hard to implement the comprehensive JCPS cell phone ban to protect student mental health, reduce classroom disruptions, and support our educators. By getting phones out of classrooms, we have given teachers the freedom to teach and students the environment to focus on learning.

Technology

We must stay at the forefront of AI to equip our students with the tools for tomorrow. At the same time we must always be evaluating if we have become too reliant on tech and if it is truly helping.

Academic Accountability

We must demand unwavering academic excellence from all stakeholders, measuring and evaluating classroom outcomes transparently using multiple forms of objective data.

Implemented a districtwide cell phone ban to reduce classroom disruptions, support educators, and help students focus on learning.

Supports preparing students to use artificial intelligence while evaluating whether technology reliance benefits learning.

Advocates for transparent evaluation of classroom outcomes using multiple forms of objective data.

- Implemented a districtwide cell phone ban to reduce classroom disruptions, support educators, and help students focus on learning.
- Supports preparing students to use artificial intelligence while evaluating whether technology reliance benefits learning.
- Advocates for transparent evaluation of classroom outcomes using multiple forms of objective data.

Fiscal Discipline & ROI

Taxpayer dollars belong in the classroom, not in the pockets of expensive outside firms. I treat your tax dollars with strict fiduciary responsibility. By slashing bloated outside consulting contracts and pivoting the board toward a rigid Return on Investment (ROI) model for all expenditures, we cut administrative waste and redirected vital resources directly toward solving front-line classroom staffing shortages.

Communication/ Volunteers

JCPS needs to drastically improve district-wide communication, actively seeking out direct community feedback while streamlining the onboarding pipeline for school volunteers."

On Monday, Spectrum News spoke to Everett about his decision to vote against the restructuring. “The frustrating part was that I kept asking for an easy-to-understand, simplified list showing where cuts were coming from—school-based versus central office—and that couldn’t be produced. I still haven’t gotten it yet, and that’s why I voted the way I did,” Everett said.

Board member says JCPS restructuring vote lacked answers

Everett said he understands the community’s frustration with how the budgeting process has unfolded and with comments former Superintendent Marty Pollio made less than a year ago about not having to cut staff.

“That comment about not having to cut people shouldn’t have been made because we did. There are people who are losing their jobs from this,” Everett said. “I have learned that communication matters a lot, and we should not be promising numbers or jobs until we have done the proper analysis.”

Balanced Budget

The district should implement a policy to require a balanced budget.

Said he redirected resources from outside consulting contracts to address front-line classroom staffing shortages through return-on-investment budget reviews.

Calls for improved district communication, direct community feedback, and a streamlined process for onboarding school volunteers.

Voted against the central-office restructuring plan because the district had not provided a clear accounting of school-based and central-office cuts.

Said the district should not promise staffing levels or budget figures before completing analysis.

Supports requiring the district to adopt a balanced budget policy.

- Said he redirected resources from outside consulting contracts to address front-line classroom staffing shortages through return-on-investment budget reviews.
- Calls for improved district communication, direct community feedback, and a streamlined process for onboarding school volunteers.
- Voted against the central-office restructuring plan because the district had not provided a clear accounting of school-based and central-office cuts.
- Said the district should not promise staffing levels or budget figures before completing analysis.
- Supports requiring the district to adopt a balanced budget policy.

Behavior

We must implement common sense policies to make sure our staff feel safe while supporting those kids that need it the most.

Calls for policies that help staff feel safe while supporting students with greater needs.

- Calls for policies that help staff feel safe while supporting students with greater needs.

Issues

Pay

Our teachers and support staff deserve competitive compensation that reflects the true difficulty of their roles while keeping pace with inflation.

Staffing

Every classroom must be staffed by a full-time, certified teacher—not a temporary, long-term substitute.

Supports competitive compensation for teachers and support staff that reflects job demands and keeps pace with inflation.

Supports staffing every classroom with a full-time certified teacher rather than a long-term substitute.

- Supports competitive compensation for teachers and support staff that reflects job demands and keeps pace with inflation.
- Supports staffing every classroom with a full-time certified teacher rather than a long-term substitute.

LinkedIn

Twitter

Taylor Everett

- Supports requiring the district to adopt a balanced budget policy.

Veda Pendleton McClain is the new editor for KDE’s Literacy Link.

A native of Pine Bluff, Ark., she brings with her a wealth of professional preparation and experience in literacy education.

Her education career began as a classroom teacher in Little Rock, Ark., and continued through higher education institutions in Arkansas, Georgia and Kentucky.

Welcome to the Literacy Link page – Kentucky Teacher

Her education career began as a classroom teacher in Little Rock, Ark., and continued through higher education institutions in Arkansas, Georgia and Kentucky.

McClain holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Wesleyan University, a master of science in education from the University of Central Arkansas and a doctorate of philosophy in reading education from The University of Georgia.

As an avid reader and writer, McClain is a frequent contributor to Today’s Family magazine in Louisville, and she has authored two books on parenting. She is the mother of five adult children and the grandmother of seven young ones.

Literacy Link will be published monthly with updates and information for classroom teachers in Kentucky.

Veda Pendleton is originally from Pine Bluff, Arkansas. She earned a bachelor's degree in English from Wesleyan University, a Master of Science in education from the University of Central Arkansas, and a doctorate in reading education from the University of Georgia. She is the mother of five adult children and grandmother of seven.

An interview with Jefferson County's literacy instructional coach

In Louisville, a notice of intent to open a charter school was filed by education consultant Veda Pendleton but not an application.

What happens next is unclear.

No charter school applications despite legislature’s ‘urban academy’ mandate

A native of Pine Bluff, Ark., she brings with her a wealth of professional preparation and experience in literacy education.

Her education career began as a classroom teacher in Little Rock, Ark., and continued through higher education institutions in Arkansas, Georgia and Kentucky.

McClain holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Wesleyan University, a master of science in education from the University of Central Arkansas and a doctorate of philosophy in reading education from The University of Georgia.

McClain holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Wesleyan University, a master of science in education from the University of Central Arkansas and a doctorate of philosophy in reading education from The University of Georgia.

McClain has served in many  levels in higher education, including department chair and college dean. She has made numerous presentations to professional groups and has several publications.

Veda Pendleton has worked as an education consultant. She previously worked as a classroom teacher in Little Rock, Arkansas, and held higher education roles including department chair and college dean.

No charter school applications despite legislature’s ‘urban academy’ mandate • Kentucky Lantern

Veda has worked as an education consultant. She previously worked as a classroom teacher in Little Rock, Arkansas, and held higher education roles including department chair and college dean.

Veda Pendleton is a former member of the New Mexico House of Representatives, representing District 50 from 2013 to 2015. Pendleton is a member of the Democratic Party. She was defeated in the 2014 election by Republican candidate, Kelly Fajardo. Pendleton has also served as a member of the New Mexico State Democratic Party and has been involved in various community organizations. She has a background in education and has worked as a teacher and administrator in the public school system.

Veda Pendleton - Ballotpedia

Veda previously served in the New Mexico House of Representatives, representing District 50 from 2013 to 2015. She was defeated in the 2014 election.

Jefferson County Public Schools, Kentucky, elections (2026)

So, what is equity? Equity in schools is ensuring that each student benefits from the practices, policies, resources and instruction at the school. It means that each student has access to the full curriculum, is able to participate meaningfully in course work – including advanced courses and gifted and talented classes – and has positive outcomes as a result of that participation.

Equity means doing what is right for each and every student – Kentucky Teacher

Last year’s law is being challenged in a lawsuit filed earlier this month by the Council for Better Education, made up of 168 Kentucky school districts. JCPCS and the Dayton Independent Board of Education are also plaintiffs in the challenge. The lawsuit contends funding would be siphoned from public schools to benefit “unaccountable private entities” in violation of Kentucky’s Constitution.

In Louisville, a notice of intent to open a charter school was filed by education consultant Veda Pendleton but not an application.

What happens next is unclear.

Advocates for every student to have access to the full curriculum, including advanced and gifted courses.

Filed a notice of intent to open a charter school in Louisville, but did not submit an application.

- Advocates for every student to have access to the full curriculum, including advanced and gifted courses.
- Filed a notice of intent to open a charter school in Louisville, but did not submit an application.

It also means supporting new teachers as they learn their craft and grow as educators by having a range of experiences with a variety of students. Schools and districts need to take stock of their learning environments and determine which students are not benefitting from the ways in which students and teachers are assigned, who has access to a rigorous curriculum, and student outcomes based on class and teacher assignments.

Calls for schools and districts to identify which students lack access to a rigorous curriculum.

- Calls for schools and districts to identify which students lack access to a rigorous curriculum.

What does equity look like in schools? Educators who embrace equitable practices make sure that each and every student has access to highly effective classroom teachers, is actively participating the entire curriculum in meaningful ways (i.e., actively engaged, participates fully and has a voice) and has high-quality learning experiences. Establishing these practices means that schools and districts must evaluate their current student performance data with a lens toward uncovering inequitable practices and policies that have perpetuated less-than-ideal achievement rates for some students.

Calls for schools and districts to use student-performance data to identify inequitable practices and policies.

- Calls for schools and districts to use student-performance data to identify inequitable practices and policies.

As of September 15, 2026, Veda Pendleton did not have a website or any information online.

Equity in schools also means that the most experienced teachers are not always privileged to teach only the advanced/honors courses and students, while new and inexperienced teachers teach the most challenging groups of students. It means putting the most effective and experienced teachers with the students who need the most support so that those students benefit from the expertise of a veteran teacher.

It means putting the most effective and experienced teachers with the students who need the most support so that those students benefit from the expertise of a veteran teacher. It also means supporting new teachers as they learn their craft and grow as educators by having a range of experiences with a variety of students.

Advocates for assigning the most effective and experienced teachers to students who need the most support.

Supports providing new teachers with varied experience working with students as they develop their teaching skills.

- Advocates for assigning the most effective and experienced teachers to students who need the most support.
- Supports providing new teachers with varied experience working with students as they develop their teaching skills.

Veda Pendleton

As of September 15, 2026, Veda Pendleton’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- Board of education members work as a team to lead the school district by setting policy, providing resources, and overseeing employees. 
- The board of education is responsible for the local school budget. It reviews expenditures, allocates funds, and approves facility plans. The board may levy taxes if deemed necessary.
- The board of education hires and directly supervises the district superintendent.
- School board of education numbers are elected in staggered even-numbered years through a nonpartisan election and serve four-year terms. Most boards in Kentucky consist of five members. 
- Independent school districts elect board members at large; county school districts elect board members from divisions. 
- School board members do not receive a salary. They may be compensated for costs associated with state-mandated activities. 

Governs the local public school system and allocates the education budget. 

Jefferson Board of Education Member, District 3

Candidates (4)

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