HARDIN COUNTY, Ky. — Although Gov. Andy Beshear (D) recommended school districts push back their first day of in-person classes until Sept. 28, Hardin County has decided to welcome back students face-to-face Aug. 24. 

After the governor made his recommendation earlier this week, the school board gathered Wednesday evening to discuss plans moving forward. The board said almost 100 percent of parents and students they heard from said they wanted to return to the classroom this month. 

The board voted 4-1 to continue forward with their plan to offer in-person classes this month. 

Community relations specialist for Hardin County Schools John Wright says the decision was made with everyone in mind. 

“80 percent of our parents as of today have said, 'we want face to face instruction,' so about 80 percent of our students will hopefully return on to school on August the 24th. You know, for mental and behavioral health, it is best to get students back in the building, this is what parents are sharing with our board members,” said Wright. 

The governor's recommendation came from the steady rise in coronavirus cases throughout the state, and a positivity rate of over five percent.

According to the state, Hardin County has reported a total of 703 positive cases. 

The school district has worked with the Lincoln Child District Health Department and Hardin Memorial Health to create a reopening plan.

Schools plan to increase sanitization and implement social distancing in classrooms. Students will eat lunch in their classrooms and be given mask breaks throughout the day. 

Wright says the district is prepared and confident to welcome students back later on this month.

“This whole pandemic is a health issue and we have said all along that we will rely on our health experts and go with what they suggest and listen to them very very carefully as we move forward,” said Wright. 

The district's superintendent Teresa Morgan plans to have a meeting with the Kentucky Board of Education to finalize plans before Aug. 24.