Principal Jonathan Parsons encourages his staff and students to wear green to support 7-year-old student.

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EASTERN, Ky. — The Floyd County Board of Education says it is addressing comments made online by an employee about conservative activist Charlie Kirk, but is providing no details.

Supt. Tonya Horne-Williams says in a statement posted on the district’s Facebook page that the comments have brought “significant and unwelcome scrutiny to the district.”

“While we respect the rights of individuals to express themselves, all employees of Floyd County Schools are held to a high standard of professionalism,” Horne-Williams said. “When personal conduct outside of the school environment creates disruption or negatively impacts the integrity of our schools, we are obligated to act in accordance with district policies and state guidelines.”

The statement says the matter is being addressed through personnel procedures and the state’s Code of Ethics for Certified School Personnel, but no details can be released because it is a personnel matter.

A copy of the statement follows:

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UPDATE: BEVINSVILLE, Ky. — Court records now reveal the identity of the student taken into custody for the gun and bomb threats at Floyd Central High School.

Jacob Johnson, 18, of Bevinsville, was arrested around 11:30 Sunday night and charged with second-degree terroristic threatening and bomb threats.

The police report notes that Kentucky State Police obtained evidence that Johnson was responsible for the threats. Officers seized his electronic devices when he was arrested.

ORIGINAL STORY: EASTERN, Ky. — The Floyd County School District says there will be a heightened law enforcement presence at schools Monday morning, following a series of threats posted on social media over the weekend.

Mountain Top News has reviewed numerous posts threatening to take guns and bombs to Floyd Central High School. Police have determined that the threats were made by one student using another student’s name. The district says the responsible student has been taken into custody by Kentucky State Police.

The district says additional officers will be at local schools “out of an abundance of caution.”

The district’s full statement follows.

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HAZARD, Ky. – The ARH Foundation for Healthier Communities is donating $70,000 to school districts impacted by the devastating 2022 floods in Eastern Kentucky.

The Floyd County, Perry County, Knott County, Letcher County, Leslie County, Breathitt County, and Hazard Independent school districts will each receive $10,000. The donations can be used for educational materials, physical education equipment, classroom supplies, infrastructure repairs, mental health services, or any other needs deemed necessary to enhance the well-being of students and faculty.

Flooding in 2022 left a lasting impact on these communities, displacing families, damaging schools, and creating ongoing challenges for students and educators. This donation from the ARH Foundation for Healthier Communities is part of its continued commitment to helping rebuild and strengthen the region.

“We understand the critical role that schools play in the recovery of a community,” said Angela Bailey, Executive Director of the ARH Foundation for Healthier Communities. “By providing these funds, we hope to ease the burden on these districts as they work tirelessly to support students and ensure they have a safe and effective learning environment.”

Delta Dental of Kentucky is also donating mouthguards to the school districts. This donation aims to protect students as they participate in sports, helping prevent dental injuries and safeguarding their oral health during athletic activities. By providing these essential mouthguards, Delta Dental of Kentucky is not only promoting safety but also reinforcing its commitment to the well-being of the youth in these flood-impacted communities through their partnering with the ARH Foundation.

“Education is the foundation of any thriving community,” continued Angela Bailey. “We are honored to stand by these schools as they continue their recovery efforts and work to provide brighter futures for the students of Eastern Kentucky.”

The ARH Foundation will be presenting the checks on Sept. 30 from 9:30-10:30 at the Hazard ARH Regional Medical Center.

For more information on the ARH Foundation for Healthier Communities and its work to support local communities, visit www.arh.org/donate.

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PRESTONSBURG, Ky. — The Floyd County School District is warning anyone who attended kindergarten camp at Prestonsburg Elementary earlier this week of a potential exposure to COVID-19.

The school system has released a letter advising any adult or child who was at the camp on Aug. 9 should be monitored for symptoms of illness.

A copy of the letter can be found below:

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Area school systems are moving to fill some recent departures.

At Pikeville High School, Brandon Blackburn has been named the school’s new principal, after former principal Jason Booher left to become superintendent of Mercer County Schools.

Blackburn has degrees from Pikeville College, Eastern Kentucky University and Georgetown College, and has spent his entire career at Pikeville High School.

Over in Floyd County, Anna Whitaker Shepherd has been named interim superintendent, after former Supt. Danny Adkins accepted a position as superintendent of Woodford County Schools.

Shepherd is a 29-year educational veteran, mostly in Floyd County Schools, with degrees from Morehead State University and the University of Kentucky. She most recently has served as chief early childhood officer.

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VERSAILLES, Ky. — The Floyd County school system is now looking for a new superintendent.

On Tuesday, former Floyd County Supt. Danny Adkins was hired as the new superintendent of Woodford County Schools. Following his hiring, he immediately took the helm of his first board meeting in his new district.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to work in such a great tradition-rich district like Woodford County,” Adkins said. “I’m looking forward to being a part of the Woodford County community.”

Adkins has been an educator for more than 26 years and has served in various roles, including bus driver, coach and teacher before moving into an administrative role. He began his teaching career at Millard School in Pike County in 1995 and taught middle and high school for nearly 20 years. In 2014, he became principal of Kimper Elementary School, also in Pike County.

He was selected out of a field of 19 applicants.

“We are confident that Mr. Adkins has the leadership skills and the experience necessary to lead Woodford County Schools into the future,” Woodford County Board Chair Dani Bradley said. “We are excited to welcome him to Woodford County. We would like to thank all of the community members and staff who provided feedback throughout the search process.”

He officially steps into his new role on July 1.

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FLOYD COUNTY, Ky. (MTN) — With in-person classes starting Sept. 28 for Floyd County schools, the district is putting student health and safety at the forefront by acquiring temperature kiosks which will be placed at the entry point of their schools.

“The kids and staff will stand in front of the kiosk, they line themselves up with a silhouette and the kiosk takes their temperature,” states Floyd County School District Health Coordinator Annette Harris-Ward. “We knew we were going to really have to step up our game in order to keep our kids safe… our kid’s safety is our number one priority.

Annette says that not only does the kiosk take temperatures of the students and staff members, but it also logs their temperature and photo in a database.

At least one kiosk will be placed within each Floyd County school before the start of in-person classes on Sept. 28. An additional kiosk will be installed in larger schools with a higher population of students.

Annette says that their goal is to keep students healthy and in-school and with all the safety precautions they have in place, the district is excited to have students back in class on September 28.

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FLOYD COUNTY, Ky. (MTN) — Floyd County Schools have announced their 2020-21 year starting date is Sept. 8, but this will be a virtual start and not in-person.

According to a statement released by Floyd County Schools Supt. Danny Adkins, school officials have taken into consideration the recommendation provided by Gov. Beshear that all in-person classes be halted until at least Sept. 28 and will adhere to this proposal.

Supt. Adkins continues to say that school officials had originally planned to start school back on Sept. 8 with a hybrid model of in-person and online instruction, but due to this recent announcement by the governor, they have decided to start with their virtual model first.

“We do have a heavy lift and that is to make sure that your students have their devices in their hands by Sept. 8,” states Adkins. “The schools will be in touch with you to set up dates and times for you to come and pick those up.”

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