As the new school year approaches, many parents in the St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) district are worried about the emergency transportation plan. SLPS recently ended its contract with Missouri Central School Bus Company. Now, they are trying to come up with a hodgepodge plan. This plan includes taxis, rideshares, Metro buses, and a few traditional school buses to get students to school when classes start on August 19, 2024.

Facing Transportation Difficulties and Worries

Since the Missouri Central School Bus Company decided to pull out, SLPS has been grappling with major transport issues. The lion’s share, about 80% to 85%, of the district’s routes were handled by this company. It was in March they broke the news they wouldn’t extend their contract. This stirred the district into action, and they’ve been forming a jigsaw-like plan, piecing together different modes of transportation to get students to school.

Main Components of the Emergency Plan:

• Traditional Buses: Out of a total pool of 15,439 kids who require transport, around 5,349 will take up their spot on good yellow buses. These kiddos are generally those with special needs and the little ones in grade school.
• An Alternative Route: Close to 1,700 of our high school students will be sporting Metrobus passes. Meanwhile, another batch of 3,773 haven’t been left in the lurch either; they’ve been paired up with smaller transportation vendors like Smart Taxicab, STL Transportation and the child-conscious rideshare program called Hop Skip Drive.
• The Do-it-yourselfers: On another note, a few families have decided to give district-supplied transport the boot. Drafting their personalized plan for hauling their kids to school and back.

Reactions from Parents

Quite a few parents are showing signs of worry about the transportation changes. Tisha Welch, a mom to three kids who’ve been assigned to different service providers, is anxious about the dependability and safety of this scheme. “These kids are my everything. I wish I didn’t have to cross fingers and hope for the best,” she.

There’s always another side to the coin. Some, like Dawn Spriesterbach, are slightly optimistic that this new arrangement could turn out to be more consistent than the unreliable school buses they’ve had to deal with in the past. “My children have never stepped foot inside a taxi before. This has me on edge,” she confessed, but she also highlighted that communication from SLPS has improved since last year.

The Issues of Safety and Logistics

First off, the major question on every parent’s mind is about the safety measures taken by these new transit systems. In Missouri, there’s no need for any special license or insurance if you’re transporting less than 11 students. Parents have to lug along booster seats for kids between 40-80 pounds, and believe it or not, the kids are expected to carry these seats around in school.

The folks at SLPS have assured everyone that they’ve asked the transport vendors to conduct background checks on all drivers. But and is a big but, they’ve been a little shy about coughing up the specifics of these agreements. No need to fret, however—they have promised to talk more about travel arrangements during the initial weeks of school. Simple—they’re cracking open a call center with additional personnel ready and waiting.

Broader District Issues

The transportation dilemma is just one of several challenges facing SLPS as the school year approaches.

Leadership and Staffing Concerns

• Leadership Turmoil: Superintendent Keisha Scarlett was placed on paid leave on July 25 pending an investigation into hiring and spending practices. Millicent Borishade, her deputy, is serving as acting superintendent. Results from the investigation are expected in early September.
• Teacher Certification: Nearly one-third of SLPS classes were led by inappropriately certified teachers last year, a figure expected to rise this year due to teacher vacancies.
• Before/After Care Programs: SLPS has promised before and after school care at every elementary school, though availability varies. Some schools, like Patrick Henry Elementary, will not offer before care, and others have limited spots.
• Building Projects: Renovation projects have delayed some teachers from setting up classrooms, but they are expected to be completed by the first day of school.

Backing up the Neighborhood and Offering Help

Some parents are stepping up to tackle transportation problems. Tracy Fantini, a parent with two kids in SLPS, launched a private Facebook group called “SLPS Families Carpool Connection. ” This group helps parents carpool and find other rides.

“I’m responsible for more than just my children. I am responsible for everybody’s children and helping their children get to school,” Tracy said. Her hard work shows how SLPS families want to help each other during these tough times.

Putting Out the Call

Even with some uncertainties, many parents like Rosie, a grandmother of an SLPS student, stay positive. “I just want it to work well like other districts. We love our children too,” she expressed.

As we get closer to the August 19 start date, SLPS and its community are working on safe transportation for all students. The next few weeks will be crucial in checking if the emergency transportation plan is set and if everything is ready for a successful school year.