School Closings, Delays, and Dismissals
Many factors go into the decision to alter school operating hours due to weather conditions or other unexpected circumstances. District administrators physically check road conditions, consult with county and state road crews and emergency management teams, and monitor National Weather Service and local meteorologists reports.
The safety of our students and staff is always a priority when making a decision that impacts normal school operations. The final decision to close, delay or dismiss early is made by the superintendent, director of operations, transportation staff and other administrators.
Parent Communications
The district’s goal is to communicate decisions concerning weather-related delays or cancelations by approximately 6:00 a.m. Because weather forecasts and conditions often change overnight, final determinations are typically made the morning in question.
As soon as a decision is made to cancel, delay or dismiss schools, an announcement is posted on the Boyle County Schools Facebook and Twitter accounts. The information is also communicated immediately to Lexington television stations, including LEX 18, WKYT 27, News Channel 36 and FOX 56. Local radio stations, including WHIR/WRNZ and WDBF, are also notified.
A phone message is sent by the district’s automated alert system at approximately 6:00 a.m. Delivering the message to the entire district typically takes five to ten minutes. It is very important that parents and staff members keep their contact information up-to-date with the school office.
In addition, each school will communicate schedule changes through their individual social media accounts and REMIND texts. Please contact your child’s school directly to sign up for their REMIND texts.
Automated Phone Alert System
Boyle County Schools utilizes an automated phone alert system as its primary means of communicating school closings and other important information to parents. The system distributes a recorded message to primary phone numbers provided by parents, guardians, and staff during school registration and hiring processes. Please remember to keep your child’s school office updated with current contact information in order to receive important announcements and updates by phone.
If you are a parent or guardian of a child in the Boyle County School district and you would like to be added to the automated phone alert system, please contact your child's school directly.
Decisions Can Change
Sometimes weather conditions deteriorate and a delay will become a cancellation. Other times, bad weather conditions will not arise until after the 6:00 a.m. communication goal. Parents should monitor communications on an on-going basis throughout the day when the weather is a factor. The district will not hesitate to adjust delays when safety is jeopardized.
Nontraditional Instruction Days (NTI Days)
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), under KRS 158.070 Section 9, has approved the district’s use of up to ten nontraditional instruction days (NTI Days) each school year. NTI Days allow teachers to deliver quality instruction to students during days when school is not in session due to unforeseen circumstances, including snow days. These days count toward our 170 required instructional calendar days and do not need to be made up.
We place an extremely high value on classroom instruction; therefore, we use NTI Days judiciously. The use of NTI Days is announced through our regular communication channels, along with school closure information.
Traditionally, the use of NTI Days does not begin until after Winter Break; with each school managing the distribution and collection of NTI Day work. Students in preschool, kindergarten and 1st grade receive NTI Day work in paper packets, sent home prior to Winter Break. Students in grades 2-12 receive assignments digitally through their Chromebooks after Winter Break.
We understand that changes to school operating hours and the use of NTI Days can be controversial. The safety of our students and staff is always our first priority. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Bobby Leffew, Director of Operations, at 859.236.6634.