As the school closures stretch on across western Kentucky for two weeks now since Winter Storm Fern due lingering icy roadways, local school districts are running out of Non-Traditional Instruction Days.
Non-Traditional Instruction, or NTI, Days are used in the event of inclement weather, or other reasons, that would normally have students missing a day of school. NTI Days make it so that student can still do some school work from home, meaning the school system doesn’t have to make up that day at a later time in the year, typically the summer.
But now, two weeks out from Winte Storm Fern and with all ten NTI Days used, they’re running out of that option, with Friday actually a traditional snow day for Christian County Public Schools students. Students will make-up that day on February 16, instead of being out for President’s Day, so it shouldn’t impact spring or summer breaks.
The issue now is, if another bought of snowy or icy weather comes about, it puts school systems—along with students and staff—in a tight spot. State Representative Myron Dossett of Christian County the state can help, as the legislature can choose to grant more NTI Days.
He says he considers it a strong possibility that they would approve any requests for additional days, especially as this is only the start of February, with plenty of winter time to go.
Christian County isn’t the only district running out of days, as schools across Kentucky have been dealing with extended closures following that winter storm. Right now, with temperatures in the 50’s and maybe even touching the 60’s next week and continued work from state and local road crews, there’s high hopes that students will return to school as normal on Monday.