Following a recommendation Monday from Gov. Andy Beshear, Kentucky’s public schools will suspend in-person classes for the rest of the school year, with both Warren County Public Schools and the Bowling Green Independent School District announcing they’ll continue remote learning.

The decision followed weeks of closures statewide after schools shuttered in mid-March because of the coronavirus outbreak.

“It’s been recommended Kentucky schools (should) not return to in-person classes for the rest of 2019-20 year,” Warren County Public Schools announced on social media Monday afternoon.

The district said its students will continue remote learning until the district reaches 1,062 instructional hours, a state requirement that the governor can waive. WCPS also vowed to share additional information on the impact of school closures once it’s available.

Similarly, the Bowling Green school district said it would follow the governor’s guidance.

“Per recommendation from Governor Beshear, Bowling Green City Schools will not return for in-person instruction or activities this school year. School districts have been given flexibility for calculating hours of instruction through NTI (nontraditional instruction), which could change our last day of school.

“The Bowling Green Board of Education will meet on Monday, April 27th at 2:00 p.m. to determine the last day of NTI for students, the last contract day for employees, and options to celebrate graduation for the Class of 2020. The meeting will be broadcast on the district’s Facebook live,” BGISD said on its website.

The announcements from both school districts followed a conference call Beshear held with superintendents across the state.

Speaking during his daily COVID-19 briefing Monday in Frankfort, Beshear cited similar closures in Ohio and Indiana and said reopening schools and child care centers would be inconsistent with White House guidance at this time.

The news likely didn’t come as a surprise to Kentucky’s school superintendents, Beshear said.

“We are asking all of our schools to continue the nontraditional instruction. It’s very helpful for our kids. It gives them an outlet. It keeps them intellectually challenged,” Beshear said, adding that school districts will also be asked to continue offering food service to students.

He also offered his sympathies to graduating seniors who will miss out on in-person graduations and prom events.

“Those of you who are missing out on these opportunities, we need your help and we need your sacrifice,” Beshear said. “Ultimately, the experience you’re losing is hard, but your willingness to do it is going to help us save lives.”

He encouraged students to come up with alternative ways to celebrate their achievements while following physical distancing guidelines. That could include virtual or drive-in graduation ceremonies, Beshear said.

“I look forward to all the creativity that we will see from our wonderful students,” he said.

Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman also sympathized with graduates, saying “my heart goes out to the Class of 2020.”