MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — Montgomery County Public Schools are experiencing a disruption in student transportation Tuesday after a number of bus drivers called out in the morning.
The higher-than-expected number of drivers calling out led to multiple routes being affected, the school system said. Out of 1,228 bus routes in the state’s largest school district, they confirmed that they were unable to service 90.
In a letter to parents, the school system said the call-outs were due to the ongoing COVID pandemic and staffing issues. Montgomery County Public Schools was one of several school districts that struggled with staffing issues throughout 2021 and the system was working to hire new drivers as recently as December.
School officials say they are working to deal with the staffing shortage ahead of the Thursday school day. Routes that serve students with special needs will be prioritized and the available staff with drive multiple routes serving one school. Transportation support staff and supervisors will help cover routes as well.
In the same letter, the school system encouraged parents and caregivers to take their children to and from school. If a parent is unable to take their child to school, the parent should call the school's office. Officials say all absences due to canceled bus routes will be excused.
"We recognize the hardship that transportation staffing shortages creates for our families we thank you for your support as we address this challenge," MCPS said in the letter to parents. "Your patience and understanding are appreciated as we work through the ongoing challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic."
Teachers in the district have spoken out on the short-staffing issues they faced throughout the year. State leaders and members of the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) pleaded for assistance in early November to deal with an "understaffing crisis" they said was impacting learning inside local schools.
During a press conference outside the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) building, MCEA President Jennifer Martin said 161 teaching positions and 116 paraeducator positions remain unfilled.
"MCPS employees are demoralized, exhausted, and desperate for relief," Martin said in November. "On any given day, half the requests for substitute coverage go unanswered. We have come to a point where there is no way our efforts can come close to meeting the needs of the children we serve.”