Fayette Schools Reopen After Snow Damage

District says facility issues not preventing in-person classes from resuming

Feb. 6, 2026 at 2:47pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Fayette County Public Schools in Kentucky have not held in-person classes for the last 10 school days due to Winter Storm Fern, but district officials say facility-related issues from the storm are not preventing the schools from reopening. While there have been some roof leaks and intermittent heating problems at 21 schools, the district's chief operating officer says there is nothing about the school buildings that prevents them from having classes.

Why it matters

The ability for Fayette County schools to reopen is an important issue for the local community, as extended school closures can disrupt student learning and create challenges for working parents. The district's response to the winter storm damage highlights how school systems manage facilities issues in the aftermath of severe weather.

The details

According to Fayette County Public Schools' District Chief Operating Officer Myron Thompson, the district has experienced roof leaks at 21 schools due to the winter storm, and they are making repairs as they can. However, Thompson stated that the district has not experienced any broken pipes and that the intermittent heating issues have not left any schools totally without heat. Thompson emphasized that the facility-related issues have not prevented the district from operating and having in-person classes.

  • Fayette County Public Schools have not held in-person classes for the last 10 school days due to Winter Storm Fern.
  • As of February 6, 2026, no decision had been made about whether there would be in-person classes on February 9.

The players

Myron Thompson

Fayette County Public Schools' District Chief Operating Officer.

Miranda Scully

Fayette County Public Schools' spokesperson.

Andy Beshear

The Governor of Kentucky.

Linda Gorton

The Mayor of Lexington, Kentucky.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Facility-related issues have not kept the school district from operating. We have had roof leaks at 21 schools and are making repairs as we can, as the roofs are covered in ice.”

— Myron Thompson, Fayette County Public Schools' District Chief Operating Officer

“As of this email, we have not experienced any broken pipes. There have been intermittent heating issues, but no schools have been totally without heat.”

— Myron Thompson, Fayette County Public Schools' District Chief Operating Officer

“There is nothing about our school buildings that prevents us from having school.”

— Myron Thompson, Fayette County Public Schools' District Chief Operating Officer

What’s next

By 3 p.m. on February 6, 2026, no decision had been made about whether there would be in-person classes on February 9.

The takeaway

The ability for Fayette County schools to reopen after a major winter storm highlights the importance of school districts effectively managing facility-related issues to ensure continuity of education for students. Despite some weather-related damage, the district's leadership has emphasized that the schools are ready to resume in-person classes.