Voter Education Glossary
Understanding Louisville Metro Government & Policy
This comprehensive glossary explains 375 terms related to Louisville Metro government, policy, and civic engagement. Each term includes Louisville-specific context and explains why it matters to you as a voter.
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Safe Routes to School
Programs creating safe walking/cycling routes to schools through: infrastructure improvements (sidewalks, crosswalks, traffic calming), crossing guards, walking school buses, and […]
Read Full Definition → Scaling Up
Expanding a successful program from small to large. Example: Starting with 12 substations in Year 1, scaling to 63 by […]
Read Full Definition → School Board
The elected governing body that sets policy, hires the superintendent, approves budgets, and provides oversight for a public school district. […]
Read Full Definition → School Choice
Policies allowing families to choose which school their children attend rather than being assigned based on home address. School choice […]
Read Full Definition → School Facilities
The buildings, playgrounds, athletic fields, and infrastructure where education occurs. Facility quality affects learning—students in well-maintained schools with proper lighting, […]
Read Full Definition → School Funding Formula
The complex system determining how much state and local money each school district receives, based on factors like enrollment, student […]
Read Full Definition → School Resource Officer (SRO)
A sworn law enforcement officer assigned to work in schools, providing security, building relationships with students, teaching law-related classes, and […]
Read Full Definition → School Transportation
The system that transports students between home and school, including school buses, public transit, walking, and family vehicles. JCPS operates […]
Read Full Definition → School-to-Prison Pipeline
Policies and practices that push students, particularly students of color and students with disabilities, out of schools and into the […]
Read Full Definition → Second Chance Employment
Programs and policies that help people with criminal records find employment by removing barriers, providing training, and partnering with fair-chance […]
Read Full Definition → Section 8 Voucher
Federal rental assistance program (Housing Choice Voucher) where eligible low-income families receive vouchers paying portion of rent directly to landlords. […]
Read Full Definition → Senior Programs
Services and activities for older adults (typically 60+) including fitness classes, social events, educational programs, meals, transportation, and wellness checks. […]
Read Full Definition → Service Quality Metrics
Measurable standards for how well government services are delivered. Examples: Average response times, customer satisfaction ratings, facility cleanliness scores, program […]
Read Full Definition → Single-Family Zoning
Zoning laws restricting areas to detached single-family homes only, prohibiting duplexes, apartments, and other housing types. Originated in 1920s as […]
Read Full Definition → Sliding Scale Healthcare
Medical services priced based on patients’ ability to pay, with low-income patients paying reduced fees and the very poor receiving […]
Read Full Definition → Small Business Incubator
Facility providing startups and entrepreneurs with affordable workspace, business services, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Reduces failure rates by supporting businesses […]
Read Full Definition → Smart City
Using technology, data, and connectivity to improve city services, infrastructure efficiency, and quality of life. Smart city applications include intelligent […]
Read Full Definition → SNAP Benefits (Food Stamps)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides monthly benefits (loaded on EBT cards) to help low-income individuals and families purchase food. […]
Read Full Definition → Social Capital
The networks, relationships, and trust among community members that enable collective action, mutual support, and cooperation. Strong social capital means […]
Read Full Definition → Social Enterprise
Businesses organized to achieve social missions (reducing poverty, employing people with barriers, environmental protection) while generating revenue through selling goods […]
Read Full Definition → Social Services Navigation
Helping people access programs they qualify for (food stamps, Medicaid, housing assistance, job training). Wellness centers help residents navigate the […]
Read Full Definition → Solid Waste Management
The collection, transportation, processing, recycling, and disposal of garbage, yard waste, and recyclables. Louisville Metro provides curbside collection of trash, […]
Read Full Definition → Standing Committee
A permanent Metro Council committee that meets regularly to review specific types of legislation and oversee certain city departments. Unlike […]
Read Full Definition → Stormwater Fee
A charge on property owners based on impervious surface area (roofs, driveways, parking lots) to fund stormwater management infrastructure. Unlike […]
Read Full Definition → Stormwater Management
Systems and practices that control rainwater runoff to prevent flooding, reduce pollution, and protect water quality. Traditional stormwater management uses […]
Read Full Definition → Straight-Ticket Voting
The option to vote for all candidates from one political party by making a single mark on the ballot. Kentucky […]
Read Full Definition → Street Outreach
Violence interruption teams that work directly with high-risk individuals in communities to prevent conflicts and reduce violence. Trained community members […]
Read Full Definition → Strong Mayor System
A mayor-council structure where the mayor has substantial executive powers including appointing department heads, preparing the budget, and vetoing legislation. […]
Read Full Definition → Substance Abuse Treatment
Medical and counseling services for addiction. Much more effective and cheaper than jail for non-violent drug offenses.
Read Full Definition → Summer Learning Programs
Educational activities during summer break that prevent ‘summer slide’—the learning loss that occurs when students are out of school for […]
Read Full Definition → Summer Slide
Academic learning loss that occurs during extended summer breaks, particularly devastating for low-income students. Research shows disadvantaged students lose 2-3 […]
Read Full Definition → Super PAC
A Political Action Committee that can raise and spend unlimited money to support or oppose candidates, but cannot coordinate directly […]
Read Full Definition → Superintendent
The chief executive officer of a school district, hired by the school board to manage daily operations, implement board policies, […]
Read Full Definition → Surplus
When revenue exceeds spending. Extra money can go to reserves or one-time projects. Dave’s budget maintains healthy reserves.
Read Full Definition → Sustainability Office
A dedicated government department that coordinates environmental and sustainability initiatives across all city operations, implements climate action plans, tracks progress […]
Read Full Definition → Swimming Pool Access
Availability of public swimming facilities for recreation, exercise, water safety education, and cooling during summer heat. Public pools provide free […]
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