KENTUCKY (WKYT) — Many school districts across Kentucky are nearing the end of a second straight week without in-person classes as winter weather continues to make roads icy and unsafe for school buses.
Districts have relied heavily on non-traditional instruction days, with some approaching their annual limits. Knox County is set to use its ninth NTI day on Thursday.
“Nothing can replace that in-seat time with a student and a teacher. That doesn’t happen with NTI,” said Frank Shelton, superintendent of Knox County Schools.
Rural roads remain a major concern, with many still covered in snow and ice. For districts with large rural areas, the number of NTI days used could determine whether the school year ends in May or extends into June.
“I think as educators we all understand that NTI is a temporary fix, where students can continue learning without a huge gap until they return to the classroom,” Shelton said.
Lincoln County has already used all 10 of its allotted NTI days, while Rockcastle County has used nine. Other districts remain in a better position, with Mercer County using five NTI days and Laurel County using six.
Legislative leaders say there has been no formal request to expand NTI days or create alternatives, but several lawmakers oppose doing so.
“Well, I am only one person, but my response would be, let’s keep it the way it is and do it the old-school way by adding time at the end of the year,” said Rep. Kim Banta, R–Ft. Mitchell.
Banta, a retired teacher, said classroom instruction offers more value than computer-based learning.
“It’s not a perfect educational tool. Kids need to be in front of teachers,” she said.
She also noted that attending school helps ensure children are fed and safe, beyond the educational benefits.
A spokesperson for the Kentucky Department of Education said officials are tracking missed instructional days and may consider requesting more flexibility from lawmakers if the trend continues.
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