HODGENVILLE, Ky. — Summer break is starting early for students in LaRue County. Due to a shortage of bus drivers, the school district announced it will end the school year four days early.
LaRue County Schools announced Monday that the school board voted to use four "banked instructional days" and end the school year on Friday, May 21. School leaders said they made the decision to avoid transportation issues the following week.
"We are currently at risk of not having enough drivers the last week of school due to many unforeseen circumstances," LaRue County Schools posted on its Facebook page.
The post said if the board had not voted to use the banked days, the district would have to move to NTI to finish the school year. Since students were returning their laptops this week, schools would have to give out "countless" paper packets of work in order to finish out the year.
According to Superintendent David Raleigh, the decision to end the school year early was not made lightly and several factors played a role in presenting the change to the Board of Supervisors.
"We did not have to use any inclement weather days because of NTI. We had enough of those We had enough of those instructional hours built up. So, we had enough time that we could be flexible with. And just propose to the board, that we would much rather end the school year this Friday. As opposed to adding that extra burden to our students, staff and families next week," Raleigh said.
The district said the decision to use the banked days would lead to a "minimal loss of instruction." School leaders will be in contact with families to communicate any other changes.
"The hardest thing parents are going to have with this is that we feel like we have such short notice to basically arrange child care for next week," Shelli Frank, a parent, said.
Frank said at first she was a bit disappointed for her child who loves going to school and seeing her teachers and friends
"I was a little sad for her, however I understand if there is a transportation issue then obviously we have to address that," Frank said
The hope is the decision will put students and staff on the right foot for next year, especially as they plan to create more incentives for bus drivers.
If you're interested in applying for a bus driver position in LaRue County for next school year, you can find more information here.
The bus driver shortage isn't unique to LaRue County - and it was an issue even before the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly 80% of school transportation professionals surveyed by HopSkipDrive said a driver shortage was affecting their schools.
Several other school districts in Kentuckiana are currently hiring bus drivers and monitors. Here are a few openings:
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