LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Jefferson County Public Schools may delay the start of the 2020-21 school year by two weeks, Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio said Tuesday.
The JCPS Calendar Committee is scheduled to meet Wednesday, and changing the 2020-21 school year calendar is on the agenda. Pollio says the delay will move the starting date from Aug. 12 to Aug. 26 if the recommendation is approved by the Jefferson County Board of Education.
The district plans to schedule multiple professional development days for teachers and staff during that two-week period to get ready to prepare for the start of the school year, he said.
Pollio said this will give the district time and flexibility to further develop reopening plans, which are expected to be presented to the school board at its July 21 meeting, as Kentucky's COVID-19 situation evolves.
"We know what the world was like two months ago is very different than it is now, so it's very hard to predict," Pollio said. "... I know districts that are even bringing out their plans now are all saying this could change at any time prior to the first day of school."
JCPS and school districts throughout Kentucky are developing reopening plans based on state public health guidance in light of COVID-19. Public and private schools closed statewide in March based on recommendations from Gov. Andy Beshear in hopes of limiting the spread of the coronavirus.
"We know there's going to be a lot of flexibility between now and then, but the extra two weeks will definitely give us more time to monitor, prepare and train our faculty and staff to be ready for a great school year," he said.
The "Healthy at School" plan says school districts should enforce social distancing, screen students' temperatures and regularly clean surfaces, among other provisions.
State officials have said districts should recommend that their students wear masks to limit the spread of COVID-19 but not punish those who decline. JCPS plans to spend nearly $12.3 million in federal stimulus money on disposable masks for students.
Kentucky's largest school district isn't the only one considering delaying the start of the school year. Hardin County Schools announced Tuesday that it will seek board approval to push the start of its 2020-21 school calendar by 18 days to Aug. 24.
Pollio expects classes will end before June 1 under the revised calendar if approved by the school board.
Some days originally scheduled off for professional development will be reverted to regular school days, he said.
"We would still be at 171 (instructional) days and be out before June 1 based on this calendar if approved by the calendar committee," Pollio said.
The district is currently developing three options as part of its reopening plans: returning to in-person instruction, building a virtual option for parents to choose and improving nontraditional instruction offerings if the district needs to transition back to remote learning, Pollio said.
"We'll have specifics down around that July 21 date with the calendar in place, and as always safety and health will be number one for students and staff and then obviously we want to focus on student achievement and learning as well," he said.
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