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Students in the Lincoln County School District will not return to class for in-person learning until at least Jan. 5.

That decision was reached by the board of education with a 3-2 vote.

Non-traditional instruction, or NTI days, also called virtual learning, will be used through Dec. 18. That is the final day of scheduled classes for the district before they would have regularly closed for the holidays Dec.21 through Jan. 4.

A lack of substitute teachers to replace quarantined staff members drove the decision, along with the climbing positivity rate across the state, which was at 8.29% as of Nov. 12. In addition, the likelihood of increased spread of COVID-19 with Thanksgiving and Christmas approaching played a role, according to a statement from the school district, which added that the district saw a need to develop consistency for its staff and students.

Since Aug. 26, Lincoln County Schools have only been able to offer in-person instruction for 10 days, according to the district’s statement. Classes remained open for one week at a time on each attempt.

“We’ve tried to offer the in-person option to our families, but the inability to sustain for more than five days at a time has created a lot of issues,” Lincoln County Superintendent Michael Rowe said. “Our staff and families have indicated that they want more consistency, and right now the virtual learning option gives the most consistency for families.”

Families will continue to receive specific information from teachers and schools, and food service will continue the meal distribution process while schools are closed to in-person instruction. Meals will be delivered to their normal locations across the district.

For more information, call 606-365-2124, or visit http://www.lincoln.kyschools.us.