Governor Andy Beshear announced Tuesday afternoon his recommendation in the form of an executive order for having school districts decide when students should return to in-person instruction.
Beshear said he is asking schools to expand or fully offer in-person learning for all students beginning March 1 or seven days after educators in each district have received their second dose of a COVID vaccine.
Beshear added this is not a mandate and that the decision will still be made by each district across the commonwealth.
Of the 165 school districts that have resumed classes in some fashion, 38 have all students back in the classroom at least four days a week, while 103 have a hybrid schedule and 17 have elementary school students only for at least four days a week.
Beshear said the executive order requires everyone in school buildings and on school-provided transportation to wear a mask at all times. He added that every district must also continue to provide a virtual option for families that feel that it is the safest option for their children.
Also, Beshear said the color-coded Kentucky map posted daily on the state’s COVID-19 website should not be used to base school decisions anymore.
Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman said the Kentucky Department of Education had issued a comprehensive, 136-page manual, which will help shift back into school buildings. Coleman added the manual advises schools on planning school-related student travel; administering spring state testing; operating schools after teachers and staff are vaccinated; assessing knowledge gaps caused by the pandemic’s impact on learning; and using second-round Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funding.
The announcement came as the state announced 1,497 new cases and 16 additional deaths, and the statewide testing positivity rate fell to 6.3-percent. Currently, there are 894 Kentuckians hospitalized with COVID-19, with 242 in the ICU and 121 on a ventilator.
