UK, several Kentucky school districts cancel in-person classes after winter storm

On day two of Winter Storm Blair, the University of Kentucky announced it would be closed Tuesday and in-person activities will be canceled.

Only designated employees are to report to campus. UK Healthcare facilities will be open, officials said.

“UK is taking this step after reviewing current conditions and continued efforts to remove snow and ice from roads, sidewalks and parking lots,” a statement said. “As UK Facilities Management crews have been working diligently over the past several days, we anticipate, barring any unforeseen circumstances, that the university will be fully open and operational on Wednesday, Jan. 8.”

Elliott County Schools’ officials in Eastern Kentucky made an early announcement that there would be no school on Tuesday.

Lincoln County Schools and Bourbon County Schools also canceled in-person classes for Tuesday, opting for online learning.

Fayette County Public Schools’ is closing Tuesday and Wednesday for a traditional snow day.

Additionally, Fayette school officials said the Local Planning Committee meeting at Paul Laurence Dunbar High and Zoom scheduled for Monday has been canceled. That meeting, at which future district construction projects are discussed, will be rescheduled.

Several other Kentucky school districts had canceled classes for Monday.

Forecasters said Kentucky can expect slick road conditions and power outages with more snow Monday. The National Weather Service said another 1 to 3 inches of snow is possible in North Central Kentucky on Monday, while less than an inch of additional snow is expected in South Central Kentucky.

“Due to continued weather issues and multiple power outages, Floyd County Schools will be closed January 7, 2025. This will be a NO SCHOOL DAY,” Floyd County Schools officials said on Facebook.

Henry County Schools’, Lewis County Schools’, and Wolfe County Schools’ officials said they would have at-home learning Tuesday and Wednesday.

As of 3 p.m.. Monday:

Districts that have canceled in-person classes Tuesday and will have at-home learning:

Lincoln County, Bourbon County, Pulaski County, Henry County, Wolfe County, Bracken County, Fleming County, Garrard County, Lewis County, Mason County Schools. Montgomery County Schools. Nicholas County Schools, Paris Independent Schools, Pulaski County Schools, Rowan County Schools, Scott County Schools, Taylor County Schools

Districts that have canceled in-person classes Tuesday and say they will have a traditional snow day: Floyd, Harrison County, Estill County, Mercer County, Franklin County, Lexington Christian Academy, Morgan County Schools, Powell County Schools, Rockcastle County Schools

Districts that have said only that they have canceled in-person classes Tuesday:

Elliott County, Model Laboratory School at Richmond

Districts that have canceled in person classes Wednesday and will have at-home learning: Henry County, Wolfe County

Districts that have canceled in-person classes Wednesday and say they will have a traditional snow day: Morgan County Schools

Other university cancellations

Operations on all Eastern Kentucky University campuses will transition to virtual Tuesday, school officials said.

University of Louisville officials said they would close campus activities and classes and move to remote instruction and work on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Herald-Leader higher education reporter Monica Kast contributed to this article.

This story was originally published January 6, 2025 at 9:52 AM.