Parents express frustration outside Jerome School District as bus issues disrupt student transportation.
The Jerome School District has announced the cancellation of classes for two days to address significant transportation disruptions affecting students. Since the start of the new school year, ongoing issues related to a redesigned bus route system have led to delays and frustration among parents. In response to safety concerns, new bus eligibility policies and adjustments to drop-off procedures are being implemented. A public meeting is scheduled to discuss these challenges and seek community input on solutions.
The Jerome School District announced the cancellation of classes on Thursday, August 21, and Friday, August 22, to address ongoing transportation disruptions that began at the start of the new school year. The decision was made after numerous reports of students being stranded for hours after the end of the school day and logistical chaos caused by recent changes to the district’s bus routing system.
The district’s transportation issues have been particularly pronounced since the implementation of a redesigned bus route system. The number of bus riders increased from 950 to approximately 1,300 students, overwhelming the district’s existing transportation capacity. Many students were left waiting for their buses well into the evening, with some students stranded until after 6:30 p.m.. This situation caused significant concern among parents and guardians, who described the experience as an “absolute fiasco.”
In response, many parents opted to drive their children directly to and from school. Long lines of vehicles formed outside the school entrances, prompting safety and traffic flow concerns. The disruption prompted school officials to take immediate measures to improve student transportation safety and reliability.
Effective starting the week of August 25, the district introduced a strict policy: only students with registered and confirmed bus routes will be allowed on district buses. Students who lack confirmed routes will be required to remain at school until their parents or guardians can pick them up. This policy aims to streamline transportation and ensure student safety amid ongoing logistical challenges.
A parent reported that their third-grade child was disqualified from bus service despite being previously registered, due to inconsistencies in their transportation records. The district did not provide specific explanations for these changes, leading to confusion among families already affected by the bus service disruptions.
To address these concerns and identify long-term solutions, the district has scheduled a public meeting on Tuesday, August 26, at 6 p.m. at the district office. Parents and community members are encouraged to attend to discuss transportation challenges and planning.
In the meantime, schools are actively calling families to verify addresses and confirm ridership information to improve routing accuracy. The district has also announced that, during the current week, no new bus riders will be added as staff focus on establishing reliable routines with existing students.
The district has instituted a walking zone around each school, set at half a mile. Exceptions are made for crossing major roads near Jerome High School, where the walking zone extends to one mile to accommodate safe crossing routes. Updated bus routes and stops are now available on the district’s official website to help families plan accordingly.
New policies regarding student pick-up and drop-off locations include designated zones for safety and traffic flow improvements. Additionally, traffic lane adjustments have been made at various schools to manage increased vehicle volume during arrival and dismissal times.
At Horizon Elementary School, for example, parents are requested to use the designated drop-off and wait lines and to park properly if they need to leave their vehicles. District officials emphasize that these measures are temporary and part of ongoing efforts to restore dependable transportation services for students in the Jerome area.
The district continues to monitor and evaluate transportation challenges and is working with families to ensure students can return to school safely and on time. Additional updates and information can be accessed through the district’s official communications channels.
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