ST. LOUIS – Monday marked the first day of classes for Saint Louis Public Schools. The day also marked problems with efforts to provide on-time school bus service for students.
District officials said at the end of the day, the attendance rate for the first day of classes matched last year’s number for day one, sitting at 72%.
Some parents reported their buses were more than an hour late or never arrived.
“I’m very upset and nervous and scared,” Antreé McDaniel, a Saint Louis Public Schools parent, said while waiting for her five-year-old twins to arrive at their bus stop Monday afternoon.
Some parents also complained that calls to the district’s transportation center went unanswered.
Acting Superintendent Millicent Borishade said one of the lessons learned Monday was that better staffing will be needed to answer calls.
She acknowledged parents concerns and agreed improvements were needed.
“We’re working to make it better,” Borishade said.
Square Watson, the district’s chief operating officer, said school bus driver shortages are a nationwide problem.
Saint Louis Public Schools found itself in a precarious position when its previous bus service provider made the abrupt announcement that it was ending its contract with the district sooner than anticipated.
Then, just two days before the school year started, some replacement vendors notified the district they would be unable to provide bus service at the start of the school year.
“They either could not obtain the vehicles and/or they’re still waiting for clearances for their background checks,” Watson said.
He added that the district will be looking for ways to address problems.
“We assess, we tweak, we make adjustments, and we keep rising to the occasion,” Watson said.
Borishade expressed gratitude for the parents who volunteered to help, organized carpools, and led efforts to fill in where transportation needs were not met.
