Corbin delays start of schools until Sept. 9

CORBIN, Ky. (WTVQ) – Corbin Independent Schools won’ start until Sept. 9, two days after Labor Day, following a decision this week by the Corbin Board of Education.

The district originally was scheduled to start schools Aug. 26 based on a schedule approved in July but with a spike in coronavirus cases in and around Corbin and across the state, the board decided more time was needed to hopefully see the number of cases taper off, according to the Corbin Times Tribune newspaper.

“We’ve had some numbers go up, and it’s become apparent that all of the schools in the district wanted to exercise the option that the boards gave in the reopening document, changing the schedule—offering parents three options. With that, it’s going to cause us quite a bit of time. I’ve got to get those schedules done,” Superintendent Dave Cox told board members this week according to the newspaper.

The additional two weeks will allow time for a number of factors, especially training teachers in the 3,100-student district on new livestream software and equipment. It also will give parents a definitive schedule, according to the newspaper.

Even with the later start, school still will end May 14 and holiday breaks will remain unchanged.

“As we said in our opening document, the data is constantly changing and the metrics are constantly evolving,” said Board Vice Chair Todd Childers, the newspaper reported. “We’re doing the best we can based on what we know right now. What we won’t know is what’s going to happen between now and then. We may have to make another change, but I think we’re doing the best we can.”