Local public and private school officials are awaiting more guidance and details regarding their options to return to the classroom following Gov. Andy Beshear’s Monday announcement that in-person learning can resume in some capacity in January.
Beshear said Monday that schools in Kentucky’s Red Zone counties can resume some form of in-person instruction starting Jan. 4, though the recommendation is to use an “aggressive” hybrid model or to wait altogether until Jan. 11. An executive order with more details is expected later this week.
There also will be a Special Superintendents’ Webcast from 2-4 p.m. EST today. Kentucky Department of Education Commissioner Jason Glass said they are hopeful they will be able to provide updates on the Kentucky Department for Public Health’s mode of instruction metrics, new guidance on reopening and vaccines.
Statements from local schools systems:
Daviess County Public Schools
From Matt Robbins, Superintendent: It sounds like we’re going to have some more control of decision-making at the local level for our choice of what in-person options we can offer our students moving forward. We’re seeing some good trends. We’d like to keep watching that the next couple of weeks to see what happens with the number of cases in our community. We’re looking to try to make a decision right after Christmas. We’re not prepared to make any decision yet.
Owensboro Public Schools
From Jared Revlett, Public Information Officer: The goal of Owensboro Public Schools is to get back to in-person learning as soon and as safely possible. We will take time to comb through the updated guidelines and mandates from the Governor’s office and continue to make the best decisions for our families and staff moving forward. We aren’t ready to announce plans following Winter Break, but once the updated documents become available, we will analyze them and make decisions from there.
Owensboro Catholic Schools
From Chief Administrative Officer Keith Osborne: We will discuss everything over the next day or two and be ready with a formal statement towards the end of the week.
Trinity High School and St. Mary of the Woods School
From Anna McDaniel, Director of Advancement & Admissions: We look forward to having the students back in the building and will continue to follow all Healthy at School guidelines as we did the first 55 days of in-person instruction. The safety measures are important for the health and well-being of all. We are encouraged by being able to say zero transmissions occurred while our schools were operating in person, and we will continue to follow all guidelines as we move forward.
Heritage Christian School
From Tim Hoak, Administrator: We are somewhat encouraged with the announcement and are very eager to get back to in-person instruction. We have already been following Healthy at School guidelines so those measures are already in place. Getting back to class cannot happen soon enough.
Grace Christian Academy
From Chris Holmes, Head of School: It’s a little early to know how we’ll proceed at this point. As recent history has shown, a lot can happen in a very short time. We are hopeful and prayerful that we can resume in-person instruction in January. That has been our goal over the last three weeks of virtual learning.
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