The Dawson Springs Independent School System Board added 20 minutes to each school day during a meeting Monday night as a way to make up days lost following the devastating December 10 tornado.
Superintendent Lenny Whalen says it’s possible the move will become unnecessary if the General Assembly gives relief to districts affected by the historic tornadoes, but the board chose to act now and come back later and undo the changes if there is legislation.
School will start five minutes early and go 15 minutes later with the amended day schedule.
Meanwhile, the board is now accepting applications until noon on January 26 to fill the seat of Jenny Bruce, who was killed in the tornado. Calling it the toughest agenda item they’ve ever had to consider, the board posted the position and could choose a candidate at a January 31 meeting.
Whalen says the timeline will allow the successful applicant to attend required training in February.
There will be a special election in November for the remainder of Bruce’s term, which goes through the end of 2024.
In other action, Dawson Springs schools will continue with mandatory masking in its buildings to curb the spread of COVID-19.