Savannah-Chatham County Schools officials say it's trying to offer bus transportation to as many students who want or need it, despite a persistent shortage of bus drivers.
As of Friday morning, the district could not definitively say how pushing back the start times at K-8 schools will allow for more bus runs, and that the situation is still fluid. The answer depends on how many children sign up for bus transportation. The district is urging parents who haven't done so to answer the survey regarding bus transportation, even if they want to decline transportation for their student at this time.
In a follow-up email on Friday afternoon, the district clarified the difference between a bus route and a run. "A route is every run that bus will do. For example, A route will include high school and middle school run; [then] a K-8 run, [then] elementary," wrote Paul Abbott, district executive director of transportation in the email. "The whole thing is the 'route'. Each component is a 'run'. So this particular example would be a route with three runs."
The district adjusted the bell times for its K-8 schools on Wednesday of this week, and notified affected parents by email of the change. The new bell times are at 8:15 a.m. to start school and at 3:15 p.m. to end school, with bus arrival at the schools at 7:55 a.m. Previously, K-8 schools bell times were 7:40 a.m. and 2:40 p.m.
The revised bell times affects only the districts' eight K-8 schools. Bell times for all schools is listed on the district website at sccpss.com
While the change allows the district to possibly offer more runs, Priority 4 and 5 students — students in choice programs who attend schools outside of their attendance zones — will still not be offered bus transportation.
The district also reminds parents to make sure their contact information is up to date. Parents can click on the red banner across the top of the district website at sccpss.com.
"Adjusting the K-8 schools to a later start time will provide several additional routes that can be offered with the existing number of bus drivers on staff. This change does not mean we can consider other priority levels at this time," the district's email to parents said. "It does mean that we can serve more students [who] were identified as eligible in the priority 1, 2 and 3 levels."
“The district is doing everything [it] can to provide as many students Priority one through three, transportation without disrupting educational services," added Michael Johnson, District 7 representative.
"Safety is a top priority for the District, and we continue to look at every available option to provide safe, timely and reliable transportation for our students. We appreciate your support as we work through these challenging conditions," the district's email continued. "Should you have any questions regarding the new bell schedule for your school, contact us by calling 912-395-5551."
Barbara Augsdorfer is the education and nonprofits reporter for the Savannah Morning News. Reach her at BAugsdorfer@gannett.com or on Twitter @Babs7983.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah-Chatham County Schools adjusts K-8 schools' bell times due to bus driver shortage
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