LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Fed up with their working conditions — citing fights, a lack of student discipline and out-of-control parents — some bus drivers in Jefferson County Public School plan to take action by calling out Friday and Monday.
Several drivers said Thursday they've filled out the paperwork for their leave of absence. They said the main issues are a lack of student discipline, parents mistreating the bus drivers, long bus routes and not getting enough support from the district.
Like many school districts across the country, JCPS is dealing with a bus driver shortage, having to cut routes for a district that serves 65,000 bused students. Superintendent Marty Pollio said in a Jefferson County School Board meeting in August that, in an ideal world, they'd have 850 routes. Instead, they have fewer than 600.
Currently, JCPS transports around 65,000 students. It currently has 568 routes and 578 full-time drivers but averages 44 drivers each day calling out.
On the first day of this school year, the last student didn't get off the bus until about 10 p.m., prompting district leaders to cancel school for a week to improve logistics.
Coming off of fall break, JCPS said 50 drivers called out Wednesday, a big jump from the 30 substitutes it averages each day. That means other drivers have to pick up the remaining routes after completing their original run.
It's all created a challenging daily routine for drivers and students. And while some drivers have said there are plans to call out in protest, JCPS spokeswoman Carolyn Callahan said the district will not have call-in totals until the day of.
"Bus drivers don't call in like teachers do," she said. "It requires a poll of the compounds. The transportation director took a poll yesterday for Monday, and, at that point, none had high numbers."
JCPS hasn't said how many drivers would have to call out for school to be canceled. But some drivers said parents should prepare for Friday and Monday in case there isn't school, especially for the younger kids.
Callahan said school won't be canceled, adding that the worst-case scenario would be canceling bus routes of the drivers who call out.
"JCPS is aware (of) the rumors and our interim chief of operations has been in regular contact with union leaders," she said in a written statement Thursday afternoon. "There is no way for us to predict the credibility of the rumors. School will not be canceled. ... We hope the rumor is just that, a rumor, as we hate that it would have a negative impact on our students and families."
Related Stories:
- Bus driver shortages still causing multi-hour delays at JCPS schools
- Transportation cuts possible as JCPS continues working on long-term bus solutions
- JCPS has fewer buses transporting the same number of students. Is that overcrowding safe?
- JCPS families holding out hope for consistency as they adjust their routines to fit bus times
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