1st day of school brings new faces, new policies to Oldham County classrooms

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Teachers and students full of enthusiasm filled the halls of Oldham County Schools as they welcomed students back to the classroom on Wednesday.

Oldham County is welcoming a new superintendent this school year. Superintendent Claudette Herold said she's been made to feel welcome in Oldham County already and is excited the start of the school year.

Oldham County, like other nearby districts, has faced problems getting enough teachers and bus drivers, but Herold said there have been improvements.

"It has been better this year than previous," she said. "I know our board has really focused on staff retention so being able to increase the pay to help retain teachers. We've seen a 20% decrease in the staff turnover going into this year, which is amazing."

As well as bus drivers, the district is also looking for food service department staff.

Ongoing construction continues at South Oldham County High and Oldham County High School, and those projects will impact parking.

Oldham County is still refining its cellphone policy as the board collaborates with high school principals. The plan is to allow a little more flexibility for high school students. No student will be allowed to use cellphones during instructional time, but they may "allow our high school students a little bit more flexibility in the cell phone policy." So high schoolers will be able to use their phones during class change as well as lunchtime.

Oldham County Schools tweaks new cellphone policy after feedback from high school principals

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