Todd County Public Schools will reopen to 100 percent in-person instruction September 28.
The plan had been to reopen after fall break, October 12, but the board voted 4-1 Monday night to move the date up. That means students will return for one week of instruction before going on the regularly scheduled fall break.
The September 28 date also means Todd Schools will not be operating outside of Governor Andy Beshear’s recommendation to continue virtual or non-traditional instruction until that date.
There was some discussion about doing a hybrid model—particularly for older students—but it was determined the same internet accessibility issues that are barriers now wouldn’t be any different with students only spending part of their week on the computer at home.
Ultimately, the board voted 4-1 to go ahead with the return to in-person instruction September 28.
Board members acknowledged there will likely be setbacks and cases of COVID-19, but the lack of broadband access in parts of the county and need for many students to be back in their building outweighed the case for sticking with the non-traditional model.
Students who are enrolled in the virtual academy will remain in the virtual academy.