LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The Fayette County Public School Board of Education will hold a special session Friday to hear input from public health officials regarding the decision to allow students to attend some in-person classes in the coming weeks.
The meeting was called in light of the county’s addition Thursday to the “red” category on the state’s COVID-19 “Current Incidence Rate” map, FCPS Superintendent Manny Caulk said.
It is recommended that counties with the “red” designation only use virtual learning, which is Fayette County’s current method of instruction.
Although in-person classes are not recommended for schools in the red category, Caulk said school officials will take into consideration that a large portion of the county’s uptick is due to positive cases among University of Kentucky students.
“We have made contact with officials at the University of Kentucky to learn more about whether those cases are within an isolated UK cohort or indicative of a wider community spread,” Caulk said.
The Board of Education was scheduled to make a determination on Monday regarding an appropriate instructional model for students for the next six weeks.
Caulk said Fayette County schools have been working on specific plans to bring smaller groups of students to campus with a model that alternates students between in-person and virtual learning.
“At this time, we are still gathering information,” Caulk said. “It is critical that decisions be grounded in facts and not be swayed by speculation or political posturing. Every decision we make will be with the safety of students, staff and families we serve in mind.“
