Kentucky Schools Talk Improvement After Day 1 Bus Route Issues

After simply someday of the 2023-2024 faculty 12 months, faculty officers in Kentucky have canceled days two and three. This comes after adjustments to the college begin occasions and bus routes derailed pupil drop-offs. On day one (Aug.9), some college students reportedly received house at almost 10 p.m., per the Associated Press.

The momentary closures utilized to Jefferson County Public Schools. Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio made the announcement on Thursday morning, beginning with apologies.

“Today, after making one of the most difficult, if not the most difficult, decisions of my superintendent career, and that was to cancel day two and day three of the school year, Thursday and Friday. First and foremost, I want to take this opportunity to apologize for last night,” Dr.Pollio mentioned. First, I wish to apologize to our college students. I do know a lot of you needed to wait on buses or wait in your faculty for a number of hours, and I really apologize for that. I understand how unnerving and unsettling that should of been for even our youngest college students, however all of our college students. I really apolgize to you.”

RELATED: Houston District To Convert 28 Libraries Into Discipline Centers

JCPS’ Superintendent Pollio additionally apologized to the mother and father, regarding their misery by his expertise as a father.

“I apologize to our families, our parents. I know as a dad what that must of been like, how unnerving that must have been, waiting for your child to get home and not knowing exactly where they are or were. I truly apologize for that.”

A message and apology from @JCPSSuper to JCPS college students, households, and workers concerning the busing points we skilled yesterday and the way we are going to work to repair them. #WeAreJCPShttps://t.co/OlUXUCM8X4

— JCPS (@JCPSKY) August 10, 2023

Kentucky Superintendent Apologizes To Bus Drivers, Says The Blame Isn’t On Them

Students and fogeys weren’t the one ones receiving apologies on behalf of the JCPS. The bus drivers accountable additionally obtained sympathy from Dr. Pollio for Wednesday’s transportation mishaps.

“I apologize to our bus drivers. We put a lot on you in this changed process. I know you are working hard. We apologize to you for the difficulties and challenges you faced…” Dr. Pollio added.

The superintendent additionally gave apologies and props to highschool personnel who stayed behind to assist with the ready college students.

“And the difficult part for me, it was a great day in our schools. I saw some incredible instruction, kids excited, families excited, new school buildings and to have it end with the transportation disaster that we had last night was truly unacceptable and I apologize for that.”

Here’s How JCPS Plans To Address Issues With School Bus Routes

Dr. Pollio added that the “massive change” JCPS is enterprise is “extremely difficult.” However, the superintendent doesn’t wish to use that as “an excuse.” He says the accountability of fixing the kinks of their new system rests on his and his workforce’s shoulders–not the bus drivers or faculty personnel.

Starting Thursday, faculty officers will spend 4 days (earlier than Monday’s resumed lessons) reviewing the brand new faculty bus routes and stops for effectivity. Bus drivers may even be paid further days to observe the brand new routes.

JCPS additionally plans to make enhancements to communication techniques between their instructional establishments and fogeys/guardians, together with “dramatically increasing” their name middle. According to their web site, the county companies greater than 96,000 college students.