Hardin County schools open, but students stay home in droves

Jan. 14– After three days off because of snow, ice and slowly improving road conditions, Hardin County schools resumed classes Thursday but the absentee rate exploded.

Nearly one of every five students, or 17 percent, stayed home, according to the Hardin County Board of Education.

Because some secondary roads remained slick, parents were given the option of sending their children to school or taking an excused absence. Bus routes ran at the discretion of individual drivers.

Hardin County Schools Transportation Director Wally Hamilton said students along just two routes were the only ones without bus service Thursday morning. Both were in the northeast portion of the county and both routes were served Thursday afternoon.

"They did good, I think," he said of the bus drivers. "It wasn’t because they didn’t want to."

But many parents elected to keep their children home, deciding not to risk the drive to school by bus or private vehicle.

A total of 636 Hardin County students were absent Thursday, with schools doubling to quadrupling their normal absentee rate.

•High School– 189 absent; usual 70-90

•Middle School– 160 absent; usual 35-40

•East Hardin– 95 absent; usual 25

•Northside– 62 absent; usual 20-25

•Parris South– 68 absent; usual 30

•Pickwick Southside– 42 absent; usual 15-20

•West Hardin– 20 absent; usual 10-12