Following the cancellation of two bus routes Thursday afternoon, Christian County Public Schools Superintendent Chris Bentzel has penned an open letter to parents — detailing concerns and steps to be taken in the days ahead.
Bentzel called it a “frustrating week,” and first apologized to the impacted families in the matter.
“We do everything in our power to prevent canceling routes,” he said, “even doubling routes before making the call to cancel.” He said it’s never a decision the district takes lightly, and in the future, he urges families to contact their specific school in order to find the best after-school solution befitting their children.
But, like many school districts across the country, Bentzel admitted CCPS is facing a “dire problem” with driver shortages. He said the bus garage is typically equipped to handle the nearly 90 routes within the district on a daily basis, but this past week has been tumultuous. With flu, COVID-19 and other illnesses on the rise, numerous drivers have been out with undisclosed sicknesses, and Bentzel reports this stretched driver numbers “very thin.”
Several teachers, administrators, coaches and staff have filled in as subs when possible, but even then, Bentzel said the number of sub drivers “isn’t enough.”
Afternoon routes, he added, are harder to fill — because drivers are also assigned trip requests for after-school activities.
Bentzel noted the district is “working hard” to increase the number of available drivers through continued recruitment for full-time and subs. Both options have received pay raises within the last three fiscal years. Additional staff are being trained, and Bentzel said exploration into alternative solutions is ongoing, in order to prevent further cancellations.
If anyone is interested in driving a bus, or know someone who might be, they should contact the CCPS transportation garage or visit christian.kyschools.us for online applications.
Community partners, he closed, like the Boys & Girls Club and the elementary schools provide key support in these transportation disruptions.
Since the start of school in August, several west Kentucky districts have had to cancel at least one route due to extenuating circumstances — including Caldwell County.
