BARDSTOWN, Ky. (WDRB) -- Nelson County Schools will be closed again on Friday because of staffing shortages as students continue to protest a potential merger that would combine two schools. 

Students and teachers were not in class on Thursday because of staffing shortages. Instead, they were outside protesting, the second day of demonstrations over the potential merger.

So many teachers and staff called out for the protest, the district canceled classes Thursday. School was also canceled for Friday as the district again faces a shortage of teachers. 

"It appears staffing shortages are in response to ongoing district facility planning decisions," Superintendent Wes Bradley said in a letter to families Thursday evening.

Bradley said the shortages are "system-wide," and include a high volume of transportation team members and a significant classroom teacher shortage. He said the two days of learning loss will be made up in January or May.

"Based on discussion with some staff and school administrators, staffing shortages are in response to a decision making process that has not clearly addressed middle school inequities," Bradley's letter continued. "Staff members have also requested greater community input into the process. This discussion is part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring that we provide the best opportunities for all students across the district."

Teachers, students and staff marched from Foster Heights Elementary School to the square on Thursday in agreement, saying the board is not listening to them. 

"It's very frustrating," said Krystal Carroll, a swim coach at Nelson County High School and Thomas Nelson High School. "I feel like there are hidden agendas. We need our toe fixed, and they're not paying attention to the toe. They're going to cut off our arm."

Superintendent Bradley introduced the "Connected Campus" plan Tuesday night, which would merge Thomas Nelson and Nelson County high schools. The board voted 3-2 to continue developing the plan.

"Most people are upset at the board. That's not Mr. Bradley's intentions," said Rylee Griffith, a Nelson County High School junior. "Thomas Nelson and Nelson County want to be separate, and that's OK. It's nothing to do with a rivalry. That has nothing to do with not liking each other. It's two separate schools, and it's just the way it is."

At this time, it's not clear how the merger would impact teachers or staff.

"When you're in high school, you loved your high school," said Michael Butler, a civics and government teacher at Thomas Nelson High School. "You know, that mascot represented you, and these kids just want to keep what they have."

Thomas Nelson High School opened in 2012. Butler, who left Jefferson County Public Schools six years ago to start teaching at Thomas Nelson, believes merging would be a step backward.

"As we move forward, we've got to think about what these kids need," Butler said. "And as we continue to grow and improve as a district, we hope to be a place where kids are wanting to come. We are growing and we want the kids to be successful."

The plans are preliminary, but students fear the merger would impact school sports and bigger class sizes.

"This is my school. I don't want to leave," said Ashton McGuire, a Thomas Nelson High School freshman. "It's so new, and then the fact they're trying to take it away — like you built it for a reason."

Other students said they're not giving up with out a fight. They said they'll probably continue protesting Friday.

"I'm fighting for all of my kids to go ahead and get the same opportunities," Carroll said.

Butler wasn't available Thursday for clarification on the plan to merge the schools. In a written statement Thursday, he apologized for any inconveniences due to canceling school Thursday. No students will be punished for protesting.

Former Nelson County board member Damon Jackey, who resigned Tuesday after more than 15 years on the school board, said part of his reason for resigning is the way his colleagues on the board have acted this last year, even accusing them of making unethical and possibly illegal decisions.

His resignation letter states in-part: "This board has shown a lack of professional leadership that I have continued to beg for that has fallen on deaf ears."

"We've got people on our school board that have berated teachers and educators in our district," Jackey said. “I am not talking to any lawyers. I am not talking with any investigators. I think the people that have filed lawsuits against the district are probably the ones doing that, and I’ll leave that to them. I am about making sure these students and teachers have support."

Jackey added he is resigning with a "heavy heart." His resignation was effective immediately.

For more information about Nelson County School, click here.

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