As temperatures hover near freezing across parts of the Southeast, school districts in Kentucky and the Tri-Cities region are grappling with a second day of disruptions. What started as a wintry mix over the weekend has left roads slick and officials cautious, prompting over a dozen districts to either shut down or push back start times today.
In Kentucky, the fallout from Sunday's snow continues to bite. Estill County Schools declared November 12 an NTI Day, meaning non-traditional instruction for students while staff monitors conditions. Nearby, Jackson County followed suit with no in-person classes, citing hazardous routes that still haven't fully thawed. Further west, Meade and Breckinridge counties, which closed entirely yesterday, are assessing whether to extend the shutdown, affecting thousands of kids who might otherwise be back in routine.
Over in the Tri-Cities area covered by WJHL, the picture's much the same. Hawkins County Schools opted for a two-hour delay this morning, giving plows and parents extra time to clear the way. Johnson City officials, fresh off explaining their decision-making process amid the chill, report similar holds in Sullivan and Washington counties, where icy patches on backroads remain a real concern. Wise County, straddling the Virginia line, stayed shuttered for the day, prioritizing safety over schedules.
These interruptions come at a tricky time, just past Veterans Day holidays, and they're reminding everyone how quickly weather can upend the school year. With forecasts calling for more flurries, districts are weighing the balance between education and caution—leaving families to wonder if normalcy will return by week's end.
