Here's why JCPS says it waited to call off school Thursday, but changed course Friday
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As districts across Kentucky announced Wednesday night they would be closed Thursday because of expected snow, Jefferson County did not.
Soon after thousands of kids made their way to school Thursday morning, though, JCPS announced it would dismiss early.
Snow started falling soon after, coating roads by the time middle and high schools released at 11 a.m. Fifteen school buses had minor crashes, and it took hours to get everyone home.
Why did JCPS wait to call off?
"We wanted to see the latest, updated forecast and where the line of snow and predicted snowfall amounts were before making a final decision," district spokesman Mark Hebert said Thursday morning.
More: What to know about Kentucky's snowstorm, road conditions and Kentucky school closings
Students were also able to eat since they had gone to school, Hebert added. About two-thirds of JCPS students qualify for free or reduced price lunch, a common indicator of poverty.
JCPS called off school for Friday around 7:30 p.m. Thursday night.
School districts get five hours each year to use for weather-related delays and early dismissals, so JCPS will get credit for a full day Thursday and won't need to make it up.
JCPS has four more days than what is required under state law baked into its school calendar. Friday's cancellation would use one of those days, leaving JCPS with three extra days for traditional snow days and 10 nontraditional instruction days to close schools but have remote lessons.
Reach Olivia Krauth at okrauth@courierjournal.com and on Twitter at @oliviakrauth.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky snowstorm: JCPS called off school Friday, waited Thursday
