Pittsburgh Public Schools officials are still rushing to find solutions to a severe shortage of bus drivers and available seats for students.
“We are going to continue to work as much as possible to ensure we’re able to try to get our students back in,” said Minika Jenkins, the district’s chief academic officer. “We will continue to work until we have exhausted all options to get students back into the building.”
The district last week said it won’t have enough bus seats for everyone, as the number of students returning to buildings gradually increases this month. Officials had predicted a daily shortage of 1,200 seats come May 3, when Support Categories 1 and 2 are to return. Support Category 3 will return April 26, but the district does not expect the seat shortage will pose an issue at that time.
On Friday, district officials said the daily shortage had grown to about 1,300 seats, after more parent surveys were received. The gap in available seating could prevent the district from welcoming back all students for hybrid learning by the end of the academic year, unless some students are able to find alternative ways of getting to school.
Source: Lack of bus drivers remains major problem at Pittsburgh Public Schools | TribLIVE.com
