Hardin County Schools bars metal water bottles amid safety concerns

Hardin County Schools, overseeing about 15,000 pupils in Kentucky, issued a last-minute policy that prohibits metal water bottles on campus for the upcoming school year. District spokesperson John Wright explained that an uptick in students using bottles as weapons and related injuries, including concussions, prompted the move. The ban, announced on the district’s Facebook page, specifically targets brands like Stanley, Owala and Brumate and permits only plastic containers during class time.

Parents reacted angrily, with comments disabled after the post; one parent, James Paulk, described his child’s concern over which bottle could be used. The district apologized for the timing and said a grace period will precede full enforcement, while allowing metal bottles for extracurricular activities after school. The policy reflects broader safety worries that have grown since the pandemic began.