Bus driver among at least 44 Kentucky K-12 school employees who have died of COVID

A Pendleton County instructional assistant and a Bardstown City school bus driver are among the latest of 44 Kentucky K-12 school employees whose deaths have been attributed to COVID-19.

The school employee group Kentucky 120 United issued a list Thursday identifying at least 43 K-12 employees who have died since the pandemic began in March 2020.

Additionally, Bardstown City Schools officials on Thursday announced the COVID death of school bus driver Julie Garrett.

“Julie always looked out for her kids,” a colleague said in the district statement.

In Pendleton County, Superintendent Joe Buerkley announced Thursday the death of Southern Elementary staff member Monica Meyer from COVID-19. She was included on the KY 120 United list.

The COVID vaccination status of the two latest fatalities wasn’t immediately available.

The Kentucky General Assembly in a recent special session made it more difficult for school districts to close to in-person learning this school year.

This story was originally published September 24, 2021 at 7:50 AM.