There has been a rumor in our community that the reason the Jackson County Board of Education voted to implement the wearing of face coverings while in school facilities was connected to our District’s eligibility to receive Federal ESSER monies.  This rumor is false.  There is no masking requirement connected to our District’s eligibility to receive the Federal ESSER monies.  Our board members did what they felt was right and voted in the best interest of the health and safety of the students, staff and community.  We understand that not everyone agrees with this decision, but the Jackson County Board of Education did what they felt was in the best interest of all involved. 

Our school district along with all other Kentucky School Districts are eligible to receive Federal ESSER monies.  Even though there is some flexibility, the funds are restricted.  Local education agencies have allowable uses for these funds and there is a funding matrix that guides what the permissible uses are.  There are required assurances that our school district completed and submitted to the Kentucky Department of Education to ensure that the monies are used properly and within federal guidelines.  We approached this as an opportunity to do purchases/projects that would have a long-term positive impact on our students, staff and our District.  Since these are “one-time monies”, we tried to avoid recurring expenses.  A portion of the ESSER monies must be spent by September 30, 2023 and all remaining ESSER monies must be completely spent by September 30, 2024.  In addition to the funding matrix there is also a monitoring and audit process by the Kentucky Department of Education and also the United States Education Department.   

Based on the COVID-19 Mode of Instruction Metrics for K-12 Education, Jackson County is in the “RED” (critical level).  Jackson County Public Schools will require that all students and staff wear face coverings while in Jackson County Public School Buildings, from Monday, November 22nd until Tuesday, November 23, 2021.

Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, our next status determination will be made on Friday, November 26, 2021.

Updated September 16, 2021

JCPS School Re-Opening Plan for the 2021-2022 School Year

Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services

(Plan Developed by the JCPS District Leadership Team)

Opening Day will be on Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Plan Day for Teachers will be on Wednesday, August 11, 2021

First Student Attendance Day will be Thursday, August 12, 2021

I.   Pupil Transportation:

 Students who ride the bus will have the option of having their temperature checked (non-contact thermometer).  As required by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Public Health Order, all students/persons, two (2) years of age or older, are required to wear a mask while on a school bus.  A bus driver does not need to wear a mask if they are the only person on the bus.  Hand sanitizer will be available and students may utilize it upon entry to the bus.  Students will have assigned seats on the buses and buses will be loaded from the back to the front; buses will be unloaded from front to back.  All drivers and bus monitors may have temperature checks and may complete an employee health screening.  Bus drivers will increase circulation of outdoor air as much, as feasible, by allowing additional ventilation through hatches and bus windows. Any employee who has a temperature above 100.4 degrees should immediately report this to their supervisor.  Any student who has a temperature above 100.4 degrees will be asked to stay home, if parent/guardian are present.  If they are not present, the student shall board the bus and be isolated on the front seat.     

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