Owsley County Schools Closed Feb. 4 for NTI; Meals Available for Pickup

Owsley County Schools moved students to a non-traditional instruction (NTI) day and did not hold in-person classes on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, and provided free meals for enrolled students through the National School Lunch Program. The district posted pickup instructions and a phone sign-up option for families, while also warning that weather could affect service.

District posts instructed families to pick up meals “at the rear of the school using the kitchen door.” The district’s social posts read: “Please complete the MEAL SIGN UP HERE or call (606) 593-6363 ext. 439.” The Food and Nutrition Services director listed for contact is Saundra Bowman MS, RD, LD, SNA 4, Director of Food and Nutrition Services, Owsley County School District, (606) 593-6363 ext 439.

Operational details in official materials contain conflicting specifics that matter for families. Some Owsley County Schools posts state, “Meals will be prepared at Owsley County High School,” while a district asset FAQ reads, “Meals will be prepared at Owsley County Elementary School. They may be picked up at the rear of the school using the kitchen door.” Pickup windows also differ across notices: one set of posts gives pickup times as “between 11:00am - 1:00pm,” with phone orders accepted “between 8:30am – 10:00am” and a submission deadline of “10:00am on the day of pick-up to allow Food Service Staff time to prepare the meals.” The FAQ lists pickup as “12:00pm – 1:00pm,” allows phone orders “between 8:30am – 11:00am,” and asks that “All orders should be submitted by 11:00am on the day of pick up to allow Food Service Staff time to prepare the meals.” The 2/4/26 notice included the caveat “(WEATHER PERMITTING).”

Safety guidance accompanied the logistics. The district advised: “Please use extreme caution and watch for ice upon entering and exiting your vehicle and the school grounds as some ice may remain.” Another post noted, “When picking up meals, due to the overnight snowfall, the parking lot is covered with a fresh layer of snow. Please use [...]” (text truncated).

Files-backend materials clarified eligibility and limits: “Who is eligible for Free Meals? a. Any enrolled students are eligible to receive meals. Students that are not enrolled in our school district are not permitted to receive free meals.” The FAQ also states parents or guardians may pick up meals without the student present and that “Can meals be delivered to my house? a. No. Unfortunately we are not able to offer home delivery of meals at this time.” The asset adds, “My child is in the Middle or High School, can we still get Free Lunch? a. YES! We are using the Elementary School as our central location, but meals are for ALL students enrolled in the Owsley County School District.” The asset also carries the institutional statement: “This institution is equal opportunity provider.”

The district’s NTI meal program sits in a wider policy context. Owsley County was selected for a federal pilot that allows districts to be reimbursed for meals on NTI days; “Owsley County was notified in early December that it had been selected for the pilot again this year.” Superintendent Tim Bobrowski said, “This is, in my opinion, one of the first steps that needs to happen because my argument has always been if this is an instructional day, which it is classified by KDE as such, and we’re meeting their requirements, then why can’t these kids be fed on these days?” The district delivered 960 meals during its 10 NTI days last winter, and “Bobrowski said the district could eventually double those numbers.”

What this means for families: confirm pickup location, times, and order deadlines before traveling to the school, and call Saundra Bowman at (606) 593-6363 ext. 439 for the most current information and to place phone orders. Owsley County’s NTI meal operation aims to keep students fed during snow days, but the district’s mixed messaging on sites and windows underscores the need for callers to verify details and heed weather and safety warnings.