After a school year that consisted of 7 Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI) days, district officials are rethinking whether this system is the best option for students, families, and faculty.
On Nov. 12th, FCPS Superintendent Dr. Demetrius Liggins met with the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, made up of representatives from each high school across the county. Superintendent Liggins wanted to discuss the effectiveness of NTI and hear students’ opinions.
On Nov. 10th, Lexington saw its first snowfall of the season, and a majority of the state is projected to receive greater snowfall this winter.
Superintendent Liggins and Council members shared thoughts on either side of the argument.
The superintendent’s primary concern: “Most kids and teachers say that NTI is not productive.”
Lafayette representative Marshall Hamblen conceded that while NTI may provide a worse learning experience, it is still extremely beneficial because it lets students catch up on other work they have to do.
Several students also voiced their opinions about the usefulness of NTI days when it comes to AP courses. These advanced classes culminate in a final exam on a predetermined date, and curricula are often meticulously planned so that a large amount of material can be covered in the right amount of time.
Snow days disrupt this schedule, increasing the likelihood that important information isn’t covered when test day arrives. They argued that with snow days, students may have to cram in final weeks to make up for lost class time, but with NTI, their lessons continue uninterrupted.
“AP courses can’t wait,” Henry Clay representative Joseph DiCello said.
DiCello also argued that removing NTI days would be hypocritical of FCPS.
“You can’t say the district is doing so much for mental health, but then put a bunch of extra stress on advanced kids taking APs.”
After discussing the educational pros and cons of NTI, the group switched to talking about financials, where Superintendent Liggins introduced his second main concern.
One parent, Angela Holbrook, stated that one NTI day costs her family $150, creating an unexpected financial strain. Her experience reflects the concern of many, for whom a day off school means scrambling to organize childcare and absorbing the blow of sudden expenses.
Furthermore, despite news of a recent budget shortfall, Superintendent Liggins asserted that FCPS now has a balanced budget. However, the district’s food service system operates under a different state-funded budget.
On NTI days, thousands of prepared meals aren’t served, and workers aren’t reimbursed through the state budget. This means that the district has to cover the cost by reallocating money from other areas.
Council members also brought up scheduling issues that may arise from extending the school year.
Dunbar representative Maitri Patel said that a longer year could directly conflict with summer programs, which often begin in early June. Similarly, Emma Finley, representing The Hill, said that a longer year could disrupt preplanned family vacations and post-graduation plans.
As the winter season quickly approaches, Superintendent Liggins is determined to make a timely decision on the future of NTI. In a statement following the meeting, he stated that he would be “revamping” the NTI plan after hearing input from the student representatives. After the discussion concluded, the superintendent emphasized that someone has to make the decision, and he can’t please every student and family in the district.
“You can’t stop making decisions just because some people will not be happy. It’s part of leadership.”
