Laurel County Board of Education requests for state to waive 3 school days
The board met in special session Wednesday afternoon to vote on the matter. The motion to approve the request was made by Board Chair Tony Krahenbuhl and seconded by member Brice Hicks. In light of the matter being the only new business agenda item, the meeting then adjourned.
The district's call to end the school year came following the EF4 tornado which struck Laurel and Pulaski counties on the night of Friday, May 16. The decision was announced Tuesday, May 20.
On Monday, May 19, district administrators began communicating with Kentucky Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher, Ed.D., as well as multiple offices at the Kentucky Department of Education. Administrators did so to gain a better understanding of the district's allowances under current legislation regarding the school district's options after the tornado.
Following such conversations, board members felt that suspending the school year was ultimately the best option for the district. The district had only eight school days remaining.
During the meeting, Superintendent Denise Griebel said no student or staff deaths were reported as a result of the tornado. However, according to Griebel, over 30 staff and faculty members and "numerous students and families" sustained "significant damage or total destruction of property."
"Almost everyone has been impacted by this storm," Griebel stated.
Supt. Griebel shared that, while staff and faculty are saddened they will not formally see students again, family resource and youth services centers will remain open to coordinate services for affected students and families. School counselors will also provide services as needed.
Per Kentucky Revised Statutes and federal legislation, staff and faculty members are required to work their contract days, allowing students to come to their school to pick up their belongings.
"Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with our community and all those impacted by this severe weather event," said Griebel.
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