JCPS puts new bus plan to the test as thousands of students return to school

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Nearly 100,000 Jefferson County Public Schools students headed back to the classroom Thursday morning, as the district hoped to avoid another transportation mess on the first day of school.

It's been one year since some students didn't get home until nearly 10 p.m. on the first day of school, canceling class for two days, so the district could work out the issues.

Since then, the Jefferson County Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio have taken a lot of heat and worked on improvements to ensure that doesn't happen again this year.

The day started early for JCPS spokesperson Mark Hebert, who said the transportation team had a full practice run on Wednesday.

"I think we are as ready as we could be," Hebert said. "The bus drivers had a great test run, a few tweaks when they came back, but we are ready."

Buses arrived on time at most stops Thursday morning, some even a few minutes earlier than scheduled.

For car riders, lines at some schools stretched on for blocks, specifically at Manual and Male high schools. The district eliminated buses to both of those schools this year.

WDRB's Chris Sutter talked to several parents who were in line to drop off their kids at duPont Manual. Several of them said it only took around 20-30 minutes to get through, while one parent said it took her over 45 minutes at Male.

IMAGES | JCPS heads back to school for the first day of the 2024-2025 school year

JCPS leaders said Monday t hey've worked countless hours the past few months on the transportation plan, including using an internal routing team. And while they expect the first day to be bumpy, they believe the changes will be positive.

Among those changes — cuts to transportation for some students and another change in school start times.

In April, the Jefferson County Board of Education voted to cut transportation to all magnet and traditional schools, with the exception of Central and Western high schools, which both have a 75% threshold of students on free or reduced lunch.

Those families will be eligible for stipends. The district said the stipends are taxable income, and may conflict with income-based benefits like SNAP. Parents with students who qualify for free and reduced lunches could receive $5 per day or $10 per school day to transport their child.

Parents will sign up beginning the week of Aug. 26. Payments will begin the week of Sept. 9, and back payments from August will be completed by Sept. 23.

If a parent is eligible for $5 a day and has to transport two students to two different schools, they will receive $10 a day. If the parent is driving two children to one school, they will receive $5.

In an effort to address a bus driver shortage, the district reached an agreement with Transit Authority of River City that transitioned some of their drivers, who were at risk of losing their jobs because of the agency's financial state and decision to scale back routes, to the school district.

JCPS anticipates 70 drivers from TARC will be available to drive for JCPS, but Pollio said Monday that only 14 of those drivers are slated to begin the year driving for the district.

FAQ: What to know for the first day at JCPS

What bus will students being riding this year?

Bus Teller will allow parents to see the bus stop and time assigned to their child. JCPS encourages families to check the portal daily, as location or times may change. Click here: Bus Teller Portal Link.

The bus teller portal is expected to help parents see when bus stops and pickup times are assigned to their child.

JCPS spokesperson Mark Hebert recommended for parents to double check Bus Teller Thursday morning as they head to the bus stop, as there have been some changes to bus times in the last 48 hours.

How can parents track their child's school bus?

JCPS said its bus tracking app EduLog will be available for parents to track their student's buses this year.

The app, — called Edulog Parent Portal Lite — shows the location of each JCPS bus is in real time. Parents can create a free account and then search for Jefferson County Public Schools. To download it , click here.

What time does class start and end at schools?

Jefferson County Board of Education approved 2024-25 start times at a meeting in May. There are three different start times this year, from 7:30 a.m. to 2:10 p.m., 8:40 a.m. to 3:20 p.m., and 9:40 a.m. to 4:20 p.m.

Download PDF

Who should you call for bus riding questions?

JCPS opened its hotline two weeks earlier this year to help families with questions or concerns. To access the hotline, dial 502-485-RIDE (7433).

The hotline will be open five days a week, taking calls from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., though hours may be adjusted depending on call volume. The hotline will remain open several days into the school year.

Bus drivers encourage parents to make sure students know their addresses, names and cell phone numbers.

VIEWER IMAGES | Jefferson County Public School Students Return to Class

Here's a look at some of the 1st Day pictures of Jefferson County Public students as they head back to class.

How will JCPS address behavior issues on the bus?

Student behavior is one of the biggest pieces of feedback JCPS received from bus drivers. To address the issue, JCPS will assign culture and climate staff to each bus compound. They'll spend part of the day at the compound and receive referrals from bus drivers.

Staff will also communicate with drivers the status of the referrals. Requests for six- to 10-day bus suspensions must be reviewed by a principal and assistant superintendent. A principal can also request to an assistant superintendent for 11- to 20-day bus suspensions.

JCPS also worked with bus drivers to explain why administrators make choices and certain consequences. Violations that occur on the bus or on the way to school can result in suspension of bus privileges, in-school consequences, suspension from school or placement in an alternative school. J

Bus drivers are also asking parents to have conservations with their children about riding the school bus.

"The biggest thing is prepare your child for riding the bus, knowing how to behave,"Readus said. "If their behavior is good, it definitely helps us bus drivers to make sure that they are safe, and enjoy their ride."

JCPS buses are equipped with video cameras, which may be used to documents incidents and inappropriate behavior.

Will JCPS provide after-school care for students?

JCPS partners with YMCA Child Enrichment Program (CEP) to provide before and after school care for students from kindergarten through eighth grade. The program focuses on literacy, arts, recreation, academic support and more. Breakfast is served to children in the before-school program and afternoon snacks are also provided.

To learn more about the CEP program, sites and to register, click here.

What is a transportation stipend?

JCPS parents could be eligible for stipends to cover the cost of transporting their child to and from school each day. If a student is enrolled in a magnet, traditional or Academies of Louisville school program outside of their resides area and will no longer receive JCPS transportation, they are eligible to receive a stipend.

JCPS said the stipends will be $5 per day for most parents and guardians, while it's $10 per day for parents and guardians whose students qualify for free and reduced lunch. JCPS planned to send sign-up instructions to qualifying parents in early August.

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