John Santos
News Editor
Students are still facing long bus rides, crowded buses and route problems, even as Wake County schools begin their fourth week in session.
The complaints began when traditional calendar schools returned to classes August 27. In November of last year, staff was notified that the state would be giving Wake County less money for student transportation, and consequently the county had to develop new bus routes. Wake County eventually came to the decision to eliminate 52 buses to fit the new state efficiency standards.
In addition to budget problems, the county also had to develop bus routes in accordance with their new “choice plan,” which gave parents a choice as to where their children would attend school.
Now, after numerous stories of kids getting home as late as 6 p.m. and buses failing to pick students up, the school board has put 41 of the 52 buses it removed back into service.
At a school board meeting last week, Don Haydon, Wake County’s chief facilities and operations officer, told board members that the problems were caused because of too much emphasis placed on efficiency and no time allotted for factors such as time needed for students to board buses and traffic.
Despite all of the issues, Wake County is saving money. The county is still running on fewer buses than before, even in the face of rapid enrollment growth.
Wake County Superintendent Anthony Tata has said that the county is not focusing on where to place the blame right now, but rather how to fix the problem.
UPDATE 9/18: Wake County Head of Transportation Don Haydon has resigned. WCPSS isn't saying why Haydon resigned.
