LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS 11)-- Multiple schools systems across Kentucky are announcing closures for Friday as teachers are expressing they want to rally in Frankfort.
The talk of rallying comes as Frankfort legislators are working on a state budget and pension reform during the 2018 General Assembly.
Jefferson County Public Schools announced it is closing on Friday, April 13. They said more than 2,500 teachers were going to be absent on Friday. Due to the challenge of moving graduations, JCPS Superintendent Marty Pollio is going to ask the school board to waive the missed day for students. The last day of classes for students, at this time, is May 31. Food service sites will be open at select locations across the county.
Some school districts said earlier in the week they would be closed. Bullitt County Schools announced Wednesday, April 11, they were closing Friday.
On a Facebook post, Bullitt County Public School said the following:
"Bullitt County Public Schools will be closed on Friday April 13, 2018 due to a lack of sufficient substitute teachers. As you are probably aware, the topics of education funding and staff pensions have been very controversial during this session of the General Assembly. Teachers and staff statewide, along with school and district leadership, have become increasingly vocal in defense of the funding for our public community schools, believing that funding cuts and other decisions that may negatively impact the ability to attract our strongest students to join the teaching profession will directly impact their ability to provide the quality education our community's children deserve. Many teachers and staff members have decided to travel to Frankfort on Friday to petition their legislators on this matter. Without sufficient substitute teachers, there is no option other than to close schools for the day. I have spoken with many teachers about this and they sincerely believe that they must do this on behalf of not only their current students, but also for the future students of our Commonwealth. This unavoidable closure means that our students' final day of school will be Friday, June 8, 2018. Graduation remains as previously scheduled. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to our families, but I'm pleased to be able to make the announcement well in advance so parents can make arrangements. Keith Davis, Superintendent"
Trimble County Public Schools also said early on they would be closed to rally in Frankfort.
Trimble said they hoped the early notice would allow parents to make arrangements for childcare.
The Jefferson County Teachers Association and the Kentucky Education Association are encouraging teachers to take a personal day to head to the Kentucky Capitol.
Lawmakers must now use the final two days of the session to either override his veto or draft new bills Governor Bevin will sign.
Schools systems that will be closing early Friday:
Other Kentucky schools closed on Friday:
Oldham County Schools
Fayette County Public Schools
Scott County Schools
Mercer County Schools
Lincoln County Public Schools
Christian County Public Schools
Garrard County Schools
Grant County Schools
Gallatin County Schools
Bell County School District
Letcher County Public Schools
Floyd County Schools
Warren County Schools
Owen County Schools
Pike County Schools
Washington County Schools
Leslie County Schools
Jessamine County Schools
Franklin County Schools
Meade County School District
Taylor County Schools
Warren County Schools
Allen County Schools
Woodford County Schools
Clark County Public Schools
Bourbon County Schools
Scott County Schools
Bath County Schools
Bell County School Districts
Knox County Public Schools