Rockcastle schools roll out 'Rooms' for parent communication; waiver option under Senate Bill 191 remains in use

Rockcastle County Schools staff told the board Thursday they are rolling out the Rooms communications platform to parents and staff but that Senate Bill 191 leaves in place a parental waiver option allowing alternate forms of coach- or teacher-to-family communications.

District communications staff said official parent invites to Rooms would begin the day after the meeting and that district personnel will staff open houses to help families and guardians sign up. The district said it has created a central database at each school to record waivers so principals and authorized staff can verify a student’s communication preferences.

Staff explained their early approach: the district initially planned to require Rooms for all classrooms and teams, but attorney guidance clarified that Kentucky law allows parents to sign a waiver permitting other communication methods. The district said some sports teams have adopted Rooms while other teams are using traditional messaging because most parents on those teams signed the waiver.

The board discussed compliance logistics: when a parent signs a waiver, the school will store that waiver and the district has designated staff at each school to enter and track them. Staff warned that certified employees who violate mandatory-law obligations could face reporting to the standards board if they disregard the legal requirements on parental waivers.

Ending: The district will continue training staff on Rooms, provide in-person support at open houses and monitor waiver submissions; the board expects further legislative review of the law in January.