BCSD responds to bussing concerns expressed by PSES/PSMS parents

While there were relatively few bumps reported in the first week of school in the Berkeley County School District (BCSD), things didn’t go as smoothly when it came to bus transportation for some students attending Philip Simmons Elementary School (PSES) and Philip Simmons Middle School (PSMS).

Several PSES and PSMS parents took to social media early in the week to post their frustrations with bus delays and overcrowding. One Huger parent shared a video taken by her middle school daughter on the bus showing students standing in the aisle while the bus was in motion. In other cases, buses were late to stops or showed up too early and missed kids entirely. District officials reported to The Daniel Island News late in the week that they were monitoring the routes each day in the PSES/PSMS and Daniel Island School areas, as well as countywide, and that they had made changes to “improve efficiency and maintain safety.”

“We have adjusted stop times and assigned larger buses where necessary and when possible,” stated Wes Fleming, BCSD Director of Transportation.

Fleming also sought to reassure parents by reaching out to them in response to their concerns. One parent posted a letter she received from Fleming on the PS Parents Facebook page.

“I assure you your voice is being heard and actions are being taken to remedy each and every issue at PSE/PSM as well as the others schools in Berkeley County,” wrote Fleming. “…Buses the first few days of school are historically delayed due to several factors. There are more cars and traffic at all elementary schools with parents dropping their students off. The teachers and administrators are extra cautious both morning and afternoon with unloading and loading students to ensure they are on the correct bus. In the cases where they might end up on the wrong bus, that bus has to return to the school with the student.”

Most of the delays start to disappear after the first week or so of school, added Fleming.

“With the added factor of being new schools and new bus riders from areas where we had no student riders in the past, the last few days have been challenging,” he continued, referring to the first several days of ‘back to school’ week.

Although the district increased driver salaries over the summer, they are still short approximately 22 drivers, added Fleming. The district also recently had two large classes of drivers, from which they continue to train and certify candidates at a rate of about three per week.

“It is still a difficult job and requires extensive training just to complete the CDL portion, then they must complete training to be certified by the State Department of Education,” said Fleming.

Another class is scheduled for September 26-29. Anyone interested in becoming a bus driver for the district can find employment information on the BCSD website (www.bcsdschools.net). In the meantime, the district will continue to assess the bussing situation for PSES/PSMS students and make changes as needed. Fleming noted that he still does not have an accurate count on the number of students who will be utilizing district transportation on an on-going basis.

“We are still collecting data,” added Fleming. “And that number will change (this week). It historically rises in week two of school.”