Official: Schools should be flexible with start dates

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Department of Education is asking school districts to be flexible as they plan calendars for the next school year.

Officials want the state's 172 school districts to plan for multiple scenarios, Interim Education Commissioner Kevin C. Brown told superintendents during a webcast this week.

Districts should prepare for three possibilities: an early start, possibly in July; a traditional start in August and a late start, possibly after Labor Day, Brown said. He advised superintendents to ask school boards to approve multiple calendars and to be prepared to adapt depending on circumstances.

The guidance from Gov. Andy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman would allow districts to make the best decision based on the number of coronavirus cases, Brown said.

“We don’t know that any of this will occur, but we need in a time of a global pandemic to be prepared,” he said.

The resumption of in-person classes might also come with changes that include the use of social distancing. Brown said officials are working to prepare more guidance. Another webcast is planned on May 12.