No NTI Days left for Knox Schools

As the first month of 2025 approaches its end, Knox County Public Schools are seeking assistance for extra NTI days following the wake of arctic weather that left much of the region paralyzed with near-zero temperatures.

Each school year, a school system is given 10 NTI or ‘Non-Traditional Instruction’ days to use in case of emergency. NTI days are ways students can get instructional time while at home, with curriculum and homework provided by their respective schools.

For Knox County, the limit on ‘NTI’ days has already been reached due to various community security and weather-related issues since the beginning of the school year.  Barbourville City School has three NTI days remaining to be used - all before even reaching the month of February.

“Knox County used three NTI days within the first month of school due to the safety situation impacting areas of the region around I-75 south. On September 27 and November 22 we had NTI days # 4 and #5,” said Knox County Schools’ Director of District Communications Frank Shelton. “In a typical school year looking back at the last five, we have not had much use of school cancellations nor NTI days prior to our Winter Break/Christmas Break. As of our break this year, we had a total of 7 NTI days used and 3 cancellation days.

“Upon our original date to return from Winter Break, January 6, inclement weather was awaiting, and we experienced NTI days 8-10, with the final NTI day being January 8.

“We have contacted Representative Tom Smith (District 86) and Senator Robert Stivers on our behalf, and that of surrounding school districts that were impacted by the safety situation in September.  With the Governor keeping updates and providing additional safety measures to the area, we feel that those NTI days used should be returned to the district.  While Knox County used three NTI days during the matter, some districts used from two to five.

“On January 9, we returned to typical school cancellation days. On January 14, our transportation department traveled the county to identify specific roads that would be impacted if we went back to school.  That evening, we announced that January 15 would be a two-hour delay for all schools and that buses would have designated pickup and dropoff locations throughout the county for roads unsafe enough for bus transportation.  

“While some roads may look safe, we must consider the weight of the bus, any turnarounds it must make, and the type of surface those turn points are, whether gravel or blacktop. We also considered the width of the road and whether we would meet another oncoming vehicle. The road may be scrapped in the middle. However, snow cover hides what is underneath, should the bus or other vehicle have to make room for passing.

“While we always want to have students in our schools, interacting with friends and teachers as they learn, we understand that is not always possible.  On days when the weather is particularly severe, staying at home ensures safety and comfort, allowing students to avoid the risks of travel and harsh conditions.  The benefit of NTI days is the continuation of learning.  We often refer to the “summer slide” as those months when children sometimes forget what was taught in the prior year and come back in the fall needing a quick refresher.  The same can be said now, returning from a winter break where the return to school is delayed for over another week.”

State legislators are currently working on finding the best solution in terms of the current NTI day situation for Knox County Schools, as well as other districts around the state.

In a statement to The Mountain Advocate, State Representative for the 86th District, Tom O’Dell Smith, who represents Knox and part of Laurel Counties said, “They have had to address this in the past in terms of extending NTI days due to the weather. Usually, schools are given ten NTI days per year. This year, we have had to deal with the schools being shut down due to a community safety situation as well as the arctic blast this month. On the legislative side, we are currently working with the Commissioner of Education as well as the superintendents, and we will be addressing the situation. We have to protect our kids; their safety is our main priority. In terms of NTI and the remaining school year, we will look at our best options and will do the very best we can on the legislative side to find a solution. When it comes to kid’s safety, we always want to err on the side of caution.”

As the frigid temperatures and arctic conditions continue, all involved parties are working to find the best solution possible to ensure the safety of the children of Knox County, while also ensuring they meet all their educational requirements.