The chair of the state Senate Education Committee recently introduced a new bill due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. This bill would allow high school students an opportunity to retake an academic year.

Senate Bill 128, if passed, allows this year’s high school students, including seniors, to retake or supplement their courses in 2021-2022.

Senate Bill 128 would also allow for student athletes who accept the option could get a fifth year of eligibility, however current age limits for sports would not change. The current KHSAA rule is that students must be under age 19 as of the July 31 preceding the current academic year.

Superintendent of Floyd County Schools Danny Adkins wants everyone to know they are keeping a close eye on the bill’s progress.

“We want the student and the parents to be able to get together and make what’s the best decision is for them. That’s what this is about, this is about recouping what they’ve lost over this last year,” Adkins said. “We’ll do everything possible if the bill passes to make everyone aware of the options, they have but I would like for them to sit down with their students and maybe even their family members or close family members to make that decision.”