Open letter from Superintendent Brock
3 months ago, Carlee Cornett
There will be no school in the Estill County School District on Thursday and Friday, January 29–30, 2026, due to continued extreme temperatures and hazardous road conditions. These will be NTI Days 8 and 9. Please check on your friends and neighbors. Stay safe and warm.
3 months ago, Jeremy Simpson
Community Education Director, Melinda Barnett, visited Estill County High School on Friday to talk with students about the incoming snowstorm ❄️
She gathered their statements to share with the Estill Tribune, giving our students the opportunity to have their voices heard in the community.
Here’s what ECHS students had to say:
Adri Brinegar (12th): “Too white for there to be blue. Now it’s up to you to decide what to do.”
Kassidie Babb (12th): “I’m very excited about the snow and ready to see my dogs reaction of it.”
Mason Raider (11th): “Can’t wait for the snow that we didn’t get for Christmas.”
RJ Tipton (10th): “I am excited about the snow and ready to help!”
3 months ago, Melinda Barnett
Community Education Director, Melinda Barnett, was unable to gather quotes from students at South Irvine Early Learning Center, but wanted to share some smiling faces instead ❄️
We’re sure our youngest learners are enjoying these snowy days just as much as everyone else!
Picture 1: Gabriella May
Picture 2: Sebastian Miller
Picture 3: Jerrick Jones
Picture 4: Ryder Dickerson
Picture 5: Miles Eaton
Stay safe, stay warm, and enjoy the winter weather!
3 months ago, Melinda Barnett
Community Education Director, Melinda Barnett, visited Estill County Middle School on Friday to talk with students about the incoming snowstorm ❄️
She gathered their statements to share with the Estill Tribune, allowing our students to have their voices heard in the community.
Here’s what ECMS students had to say:
Kenley Ferrell (8th): “I don’t think it’s going to be as bad as they’re saying, but who knows.”
Bella Cox (8th): “Snow is pretty. I think it’s gonna snow a LOT! I’m going to play in it, but first we have to put on jackets and gloves.”
Carter Flynn (7th): “I think it’s gonna be fun! I think we are gonna get a LOT of snow!”
Skylar Patrick (8th): “I’m excited and feel like I’m going to go home and play games, unless the power goes out. If the power goes out, I’m going to go to Nanna’s and have her cook on the stove.”
Millie Wilburn (8th): “I’m very excited for no school so I can stay home and play in it!”
3 months ago, Melinda Barnett

Community Education Director, Melinda Barnett, visited schools across the district on Friday to talk with students about the incoming snowstorm ❄️
She gathered student statements to share with the Estill Tribune, allowing our students to have their voices heard in the community.
Here’s what students at West Irvine Elementary had to say:
Aria Elliott (5th): “I mean, we get out of school so...but, I don't want to get snowed in and miss softball practice.”
Ava Toler (5th): “I'm excited, and I'm glad we get out of school. I don't want to get snowed in, but I can't wait to play in the snow!”
Sully Young (4th): “I'm kinda excited. I can't wait to go sledding, but I really hope the electric doesn't go out. If it does, I'll have to hike to Nanna's in my snow boots.”
Squire Lane (Kindergarten): “It's good! I'm going to eat snow cream!”
Lena Baber (Kindergarten): “I'm excited! I like to go sledding.”
We love the mix of excitement and snow-day traditions! Stay safe, stay warm, and enjoy the winter weather.
3 months ago, Melinda Barnett
Community Education Director, Melinda Barnett, visited Estill Springs Elementary on Friday to talk with students about the incoming snowstorm ❄️
She gathered their statements to share with the Estill Tribune, giving our students the opportunity to have their voices heard in the community.
Here’s what students at Estill Springs Elementary had to say:
Daelyn Kelly (4th): “I don't like the snow.”
Aaliyah Bolin (4th): “I'm excited!”
Gracie Eversole (4th): “Good! I'm ready!”
Sadie Arvin (4th): “I like it!”
Daniel Baca (4th): “I'm prepared! If you don't want your food to go bad, just put it outside.”
We love the honest reactions and creative winter tips from our fourth graders! Stay safe and stay warm!❄️
3 months ago, Melinda Barnett
There will be no school in the Estill County School District for Wednesday, January 28, 2026, due to extreme temperatures and hazardous road conditions. This will be a traditional snow day. Please check on your friends and neighbors. Stay safe and warm.
3 months ago, Jeremy Simpson
There will be no school in the Estill County School District for Tuesday, January 27, 2026, due to extreme temperatures and hazardous road conditions. This will be a traditional snow day. Please check on your friends and neighbors. Stay safe and warm.
3 months ago, Jeremy Simpson
There will be no school in the Estill County school district for Monday, January 26, 2026, due to extreme temperatures and hazardous road conditions. This will be a traditional snow day. Please check on your friends and neighbors. Stay safe and warm.
3 months ago, Jeremy Simpson
Love shows up in so many ways. Today, our incredible Food Service Teams at each school showed their care for our students by preparing extra meals for them to take home. We hope these meals offer a little support during this time of severe weather. A huge thank you to our Food Service Director, Mrs. Vickie Puckett, and to every school’s Food Service Staff Member for making this possible!
Stay warm and safe, Engineers!
3 months ago, Jessica Mullins
As we prepare for the snow and possible severe weather, Estill County Schools Food Service will be sending home two breakfast meals and one lunch meal for all students. We care deeply about our students, families, and our community, and we want to be sure everyone has a little extra support at home if weather impacts our school schedule. Your child will be bringing these meals home today.
We encourage families to stay weather aware and to reach out to the school Family Resource / Youth Service Centers if you have any needs that we can help meet. Should additional support or assistance be needed, we will share community resources and updates on our social media pages.
Please stay safe and stay warm, Engineers!
[This institution is an equal opportunity provider.]
3 months ago, Jessica Mullins
The Estill County Middle School Academic Team recently competed in the Governor’s Cup District 61 Competition hosted here at home.
As part of that, the team successfully earned the Quick Recall and Future Problem-Solving championship, as well as, the overall District Championship with a total of 68.5 points. This is the first time that the quick recall has made it to regions since 2022.
Individual student placements that will also advance to regions are:
Mathematics:
Robert 1st
Evan 3rd
Jon 5th
Science:
William 1st
Andrew 3rd
Social Studies:
Andrew 2nd
Language Arts:
Robert 1st
Camille 3rd
Arts and Humanities:
Kris 1st
Camille 2nd
Iris 5th
Composition:
Delayna 1st
Iris 2nd
Kris 3rd
This is the first time that this team has had every member earn a spot to compete at the regional level. This is a huge accomplishment and we are extremely proud of them.
3 months ago, Jeremy Simpson
Today is NTI Day 7 in the Estill County School District.
Please reach out to your child's teacher by email if you have any questions.
3 months ago, Jessica Mullins
Due to a later, arrival of ice, both in our mountain regions and in the city of Irvine, we have had to make the unprecedented decision to cancel school. Students that are on bus will be retuned back home. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
3 months ago, Laura Freeman
Excitement is building at West Irvine Elementary as they have started rehearsing for "The Lion King KIDS"! Through our Disney Musicals in Schools: Stage Connect grant, our 3rd through 5th graders are set to perform on May 14-16, 2026 on the auditorium stage at Estill County High School. We are grateful to the Stage Connect team, @Disney, and @DisneyonBroadway for this amazing opportunity for our talented students! #DisneyMusicalsInSchools
3 months ago, Melinda Barnett
3 months ago, Jeremy Simpson
Dalton Watson (12th) and Matthew Terry (10th) showcase drinks prepared and then delivered to staff at ECHS.
3 months ago, Melinda Barnett
Engineer Families - We are aware that tomorrow morning's temperatures will be extremely cold. To help keep students safe and comfortable, we have asked our bus drivers to take the necessary time to pause and wait for students, so they do not have to stand outside in the cold while waiting for the bus. Please be assured that our school buildings will be warm and ready to welcome students upon arrival. Thank you for your cooperation, and please ensure students are dressed warmly for the weather.
3 months ago, Jeremy Simpson
Engineer Families - We are aware that tomorrow morning’s temperatures will be extremely cold. To help keep students safe and comfortable, we have asked our bus drivers to take the necessary time to pause and wait for students, so they do not have to stand outside in the cold while waiting for the bus.
Please be assured that our school buildings will be warm and ready to welcome students upon arrival. Thank you for your cooperation, and please ensure students are dressed warmly for the weather.
3 months ago, Jessica Mullins