The Syracuse City School District is changing some start and dismissal times due to a bus driver shortage that has caused numerous delays in transporting students, Superintendent of Schools Jaime Alicea announced Friday afternoon in a press release.
Alicea said recruitment efforts made by First Student, which provides transportation services for the district in grades K-8, have not yielded results. He said modifying the start and end times at some schools will enable First Student to have the proper number of bus drivers for their morning and afternoon runs, plus extra drivers for any absences.
“We understand that this may be an inconvenience for some of our families,” Alicea said. “However, we believe that this option provides our families and the district with the greatest benefit for our students.”
The district reported last week that three-quarters of First Student buses were running behind schedule, some by more than an hour, causing it to consider different options to solve the bus driving shortage.
Families will receive updated bus information the week of Oct. 15, according to the district. Here are the changes that take effect Oct. 25:
- Brighton Academy, Clary Middle School, Expeditionary Learning (ELMS), Grant Middle School, Lincoln Middle School and STEM @ Blodgett are all 7:45 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- STEAM @ Dr. King, Franklin and Syracuse Latin PreK-8 are all 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Ed Smith K-8, Frazer PreK-8, Huntington K-8, Roberts PreK-8 and HW Smith PreK-8 are all 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
