JCPS bus driver 'sick-out' doesn't delay student drop off time
Around 90 JCPS bus drivers called in sick on Friday in an attempt to bring attention to the driver's concerns.
John Stovall, president of the Teamsters Local 783, said driver complaints are mostly because of student behavior, but longer bus routes and a lack of support from the district are also to blame.
"Compound all of that with the traffic and the heat and the lack of respect that they're getting from the children and the adults, it built up, and they felt like they need to send a voice loud and clear what was going on," Stovall said.
JCPS said the last student was dropped off at 7:18 p.m. on Friday evening, which is normal, according to the district. The last three Fridays, students were dropped off at 7:05, 7:42, and 7:23 p.m., according to the district.
JCPS spokesperson Carolyn Callahan said the district is working to address student behavior. Callahan said there will now be a way for drivers to file a formal complaint online when a student misbehaves, as opposed to a written complaint on a piece of paper.
"It's getting to the school in real-time now so that the school can make those decisions on what discipline is appropriate in each situation," Callahan said. "The bus driver will then also be able to follow up and see what action has been taken on that referral if any action. So, that's going to be a game changer."
Monica Whiteside, who previously sent her child on the bus, is still not convinced that it's a trustworthy mode of transportation.
Whiteside said her kindergartener was dropped off several blocks from their home during the first weeks of school. She's been walking him ever since.
"It's getting ready to snow and get colder, and now, he's still going to be out here walking," Whiteside said. "I would like to put him on a bus, but right now, I don't trust the system."
Rumors are circulating that another, larger, bus driver "sick-out" is planned for Monday. JCPS said if a large amount of drivers are absent on Monday, the district will have to cancel some routes. JCPS is asking parents to plan an alternate mode of transportation as a precaution.