There’s a budgetary problem in Jefferson County Public Schools that, of course, has a negative impact on minority students.

According to Louisville Public Media:

At the end of the year, JCPS plans to close King [Elementary] and move its students to Maupin Elementary, three miles south in Parkland.

It’s part of a proposal to close and consolidate schools with low enrollment projections and high costs, as JCPS’ leaders hope to find savings and efficiencies amid a projected $132 million budget shortfall. The Jefferson County Board of Education has the final say on whether to move forward on the proposal. They plan to vote during their Dec. 9 meeting.

“We know this will be difficult,” JCPS Superintendent Brian Yearwood said at a November press conference announcing the plan. “But it is a necessity for the long-term future of our district and most importantly — most importantly — for our students,” Yearwood said.

The story adds that 837 students are affected by the planned closures, consolidations and location changes, according to a JCPS spokesperson. And, of course:

More than 80% of the students impacted by closures are Black, Latino and other students of color — groups JCPS has historically struggled to serve as well as their more privileged peers. Black students make up a disproportionate share of students impacted by the proposed closures, relative to their share of the district’s overall population.

Why does this happen? Simple economics. Schools in predominantly White areas tend to receive more financial assistance from parents who are well off but still have their kids in public schools. The true problem is the shift toward private schools that intentionally curbs the racial demographics of student bodies yet rips off taxpayers by accepting a voucher system that diverts money from public to private schools.

So, the Louisville establishment does what it always does. Pay lip service to diversity, then sell out people of color when money is an issue.