(The Center Square) – Bus transportation on the first day of school often has problems or miscommunication on new bus stops, changes in routes from last year and late arrivals.
The St. Louis Public Schools knew Monday’s first day would be even more challenging as it pulled together a group of approximately 19 vendors to replace its bus company, which cancelled its contract at the end of last school year. But during the last two weeks, three vendors notified the district it would not be able to provide the number of buses previously agreed to for the first day of class. A media release from Square Watson, the chief of facilities and operations at the school district, posted on social media on Saturday, informed parents the district was 36 buses short for Monday.
Multiple media outlets reported students waiting on street corners long past the time buses were scheduled to arrive. They also reported parents took off work to transport their children to school. The district provided child care at elementary schools before and after school.
One vendor, Xtra Care Services, informed the district on Saturday it wouldn’t be able to provide six buses, affecting approximately 1,000 students, according to the media release. ShuttlePro told the district on Aug. 14 it reduced the number of buses it would provide from 45 to 25. On Friday, the district distributed gas cards to parents to compensate for the loss of transportation from ShuttlePro.
On Friday, Victorious Life International told the district it couldn’t operate the 10 buses it committed to provide because it couldn’t acquire the buses. However, First Student, another school bus company, stepped in to provide five buses.
“As a result of bus and driver shortages, this continues to lead to disruptions for St. Louis Public Schools,” according to Watson’s media release. “We understand the challenges that bus and driver shortages have presented for our families and we are working tirelessly to find solutions and minimize disruptions to our students.”
Earlier this month, Republican Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick said his department’s audit of the school district would include reviewing all financial and contractual documents relevant to the transportation situation.
The district currently operates approximately 60 school buildings for its 20,000 students. In July, the Board of Education placed Superintendent Keisha Scarlett on a temporary leave of absence due to hiring, budgeting and transportation problems. Millicent Borishade was appointed interim superintendent.