Louisville-Area Schools Face Delays Amid Winter Weather Challenges

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Several Louisville-area school districts are reopening on a delayed schedule Monday due to lingering winter weather conditions, with Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) among those implementing a two-hour delay. Students were initially set to return to classrooms last week following the winter break.

JCPS officials cited “side road conditions and sidewalk access to bus stops” as the primary reasons for the delay. Early Childhood classes have been canceled, and some bus delays are expected, according to a district spokesperson. Dismissal times and after-school activities, including athletic events, will proceed as usual.

New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated Schools also announced a two-hour delay, warning that students “may experience later than normal pick-up times” due to difficult road conditions. The district advised parents to use the Stopfinder App for updates and to transport their children to school if roads are impassable.

In Spencer County, officials reported challenges with low-hanging tree limbs and parked cars obstructing bus routes. “To ensure the safety of our students and drivers, we believe it would be beneficial for drivers to complete their routes after daylight hours,” the district stated.

Greater Clark County Schools and Clarksville Community Schools also announced two-hour delays, with Greater Clark noting that absences due to transportation issues would be excused. Meanwhile, Oldham County Schools and several universities, including the University of Louisville and Bellarmine University, have yet to announce decisions regarding Monday operations.

In Fayette County, transportation officials are grappling with the challenge of serving 40,000 students across a large area. “These storms aren’t easy. You can’t predict how it’s going to go one way or another,” said Daryn Morris, director of transportation for Fayette County Public Schools. Morris expressed concerns about re-freezing roads and sidewalks, which could impact students walking to bus stops.

Parent Katie Neal, who lives in southwest Fayette County, voiced frustration over the condition of her road, a designated bus route. “Right now the roads aren’t safe for anybody, but it’s been this way for well over a week,” Neal said. She questioned why the city and school system aren’t collaborating more effectively to clear bus routes.

Chief Operating Officer Myron Thompson addressed the issue during a press conference, acknowledging the challenges of clearing certain streets. “We’ve been in communication with [the city], and they’re excellent partners,” Thompson said. School officials plan to assess bus routes early Tuesday morning and make a decision by 5 a.m. regarding school operations.