HB 669 will allow school districts to receive credit for days missed due to criminal activity

Frankfort, Kentucky (March 5, 2025) – The House Standing Committee on Primary and Secondary Education approved HB 669. This measure, sponsored by Representative Tom O’Dell Smith of Corbin, would allow school districts to apply for a waiver to receive instructional credit for school days missed in September 2024 due to criminal activity. 

“Schools should not be penalized for protecting their students from criminal threats or activity,” Smith said. “In September 2024 schools in my district closed due to the violence that occurred on I-75 and the subsequent manhunt for the individual responsible. The senseless act of violence put the community in danger and the district responded accordingly to ensure student safety. HB 669 would allow districts to apply for a waiver if they closed schools due to this incident.”

In September 2024, there was a mass shooting on I-75 between London and Mount Vernon. As a result of the shooting and concerns with the manhunt for the shooter some districts in the area canceled school the following day or some days later. This legislation allows those districts to apply for a waiver for the days they missed due to safety concerns.

“Safety comes before the classroom,” Smith added. “While we want students to be in school as often as they can be we must recognize there are situations that require schools to cancel. During the I-75 shooting there were school buses on the highway and children in the cars. Schools were justified in shutting down while law enforcement assessed the threat to the community. This legislation supports those districts that took action to protect our students.” 

For more information on HB 669 other legislative measures, or the 2025 Regular Session, please visit legislature.ky.gov.