HARDIN COUNTY, Ky. — More than 14,000 students were in the classroom as Hardin County Schools kicked off the new year. 

What You Need To Know

  • Hardin County Schools are back in session, as classes began Aug. 7 

  • The district is home to more than 14,000 students and 23 schools 

  • A district spokesperson said it is preparing for more growth with the opening of the BlueOval SK battery plants 

  • Preschools are back in session Aug. 29 

The smiling faces leaving Lincoln Trail Elementary School were good indicators of day one. Addy Folino started second grade Wednesday, Aug. 7 and said she read and went to a music class.

“Oh, it's been fun," Folino said. "I've made a lot of new friends." 

Her mother, Debbie Folino, went to the same elementary, where she now picks up and drops off her daughter.

“It's a lot of memories, and we know some of the teachers here now that were friends," Debbie Folino said. "It's really good because it was a close-knit community." 

It's a growing community, as BlueOval SK is creating about 5,000 jobs for its electric vehicle battery plants.

“Really, all the people that are coming for BlueOval SK, the people that are coming right now, are construction workers and maybe people that haven't brought their families with permanent jobs there," said John Wright, Hardin County Schools director of public relations. "They will soon be bringing their families if they haven't already, so we've got to be prepared for that, and we're working on plans for that." 

Debbie said she's noticed growth and can see the differences in drop-off and pickup from last school year.

“Well, just from the beginning this morning, the amount of people that were trying to get into the school, the hallways were busier, but everything went super smooth," she said. "The parking lot's a lot fuller this afternoon, but the school has everything just right on." .

Elementary school students were let out an hour early for the first day so bus drivers had enough time to get them home safely.

“Certainly, on day one, if you get them here, get them fed and get them home ... that's a great feat," Wright said. "Then throw in some instruction; that's even better. Getting them home on day one, getting them to where they need to be, building that trust factor with the community and with parents is essential." 

Addy said she hopes she can earn a “bruin paw” for accomplishments in the classroom, such as being good and following the rules. 

Preschool starts for Hardin County Schools Aug. 29, which will add about 700 more students throughout the district.

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