Bus driver shortage to cause delays in students returning home from some Springfield schools

SPRINGFIELD — UPDATE: @ 1:40 p.m.:

After a bus driver shortage forced Springfield City Schools to issue a two-hour delay for some schools Thursday morning, students at the schools will also have a delay in getting home in the afternoon.

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The two-hour delay was issued for the district’s elementary and middle schools and Clark Preschool. Students that attend those schools and use school transportation will also get home about 30 minutes later Thursday due to the same busing issues, according to a district spokesperson.

The spokesperson said the delays are caused by a shortage of substitute bus drivers and others being out sick. The shortage of substitute drivers is not unique to Springfield and is an issue experienced nationwide, the spokesperson said.

“We’ve been very fortunate to have had no incidences of delays in transportation thus far this year and are grateful for our transportation staff who have worked tirelessly to make sure our students get to school safely,” the spokesperson said.

“We are assessing our transportation needs again this afternoon and will communicate any changes to staff and families.”

In September, a similar shortage caused Greenon schools to close for a day in September.

FIRST REPORT

Today, some Springfield City Schools will be on a two-hour delay, according to a post on the district’s Facebook.

The district posted Wednesday that SCSD Elementary, Clark Preschool, and Middle Schools are on a two-delay for October 21.

A district spokesperson sites the lack of bus drivers as the cause of the delay.

They say students will be allowed inside the building thirty minutes before the start of the delayed school day.

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