Kentucky Senate Bill 128, Supplemental School Year Program (SSYP), has been approved by both chambers of the Kentucky General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Andy Beshear. This bill, also referred to as KY SB 128 and known by some as the “redshirt” or the “do-over” bill, allows K-12 students currently enrolled in public or non-public schools to request to use the 2021-2022 school year as a supplemental year. The student can retake and/or supplement coursework already completed.
Our school district wants to take this opportunity to share some of the facts related to this bill so that you can make an informed decision about whether you would choose to have your child request to use the supplemental year. These requests must be submitted to the Student Support Center by May 1st, 2021. The student and/or parents may rescind this request at any time before May 31st, 2021.
The Lincoln County Board of Education will make a decision by June 1st, 2021 on whether to approve all or none of the requests for SB 128. School districts are not allowed to decide on an individual basis. Per law, if our school district decides to accept requests for a supplemental year, we will accept all requests. If we decide not to accept requests for a supplemental year, we will accept no requests.
We realize our students and families have been dealing with a once in a lifetime pandemic and this is not a feasible option for everyone. But we do feel it is important to present this possibility to our students that may benefit from this option.
Here is a list of what may be considered benefits and concerns surrounding the SB 128 decision for your child:
Benefits | Concerns |
Students may make up/re-take classes from prior year or take supplemental classes. | Students will be returning to school with a new class of students as the vast majority of students in their grade will be promoted. |
Students may participate in extracurricular activities as long as they meet KHSAA age and other eligibility requirements. | If the student is 19 before August 1st of 2021, they will be ineligible for KHSAA sports during the 2021-22 school year. (see below) |
Students may be able to complete career technical certifications they were unable to complete during the 2020-21 school year (examples include welding and nursing) | The number and types of requests would need to be assessed by the district in terms of resources, staffing, and facility/space availability. |
- High school students who are 19 on or after August 1 of the upcoming academic year are ineligible to participate in athletics.
- Eighth grade students who are 15 on or after August 1 of the upcoming academic year are ineligible to participate in middle school athletics.
- Seventh grade students who are 14 on or after August 1 of the upcoming academic year are ineligible to participate in athletic activities against students exclusively enrolled in grades 7 and below
- REMINDER - Just because a student is not of these ages now, these rules regarding athletics will still apply when they do reach these ages.
If your student wishes to request to use the supplemental year, please complete the Google Form (link below) on or before May 1st. This will allow the district to evaluate the potential needs that may arise from the supplemental year in the areas of staff, schedule, and curriculum.
If you have any questions, please contact Diana Hart at the Student Support Center (606) 365-2124. If the board approves the supplemental year for our district, you will be notified and asked to sign official documentation.