School officials ask parents to drive children to school rather than use buses

Local school officials urge parents to drive their children to school themselves, rather than sending them on school buses, during the coronavirus pandemic.

Officials say parents driving children to school will reduce risk

 “While we know that bus services are a great benefit and necessity for many, we ask that you take time to consider dropping your child off personally in the coming weeks. We know this may present some hardships, but we do know that more separation on our buses will greatly reduce risk to our students,” says a written communication from the New Albany City Schools.

Buses are confined spaces making ‘distancing’ difficult

Buses are narrow confined spaces, a difficult environment in which to keep children and drivers safe from spreading infection. Fewer students riding buses will make spacing easier and lower risk overall for students and their families.

Both the county and city districts are taking similar precautions.

County Superintendent Taylor describes precautions

Union County School Superintendent Russell Taylor said a list of students who ride buses daily will be kept and assigned seating will be mandatory. Since only about half the usual number of students will ride at one time, spacing should be easier. Students from the same family will sit together, as will students in the same classroom as much as is feasible, he said.

Screening questions will be posted at the entrance to each bus, hand sanitizers will be provided in each bus. Masks will be required for everyone and buses will be cleaned with disinfectant after each morning and afternoon bus route.

The bus seating arrangement shows the difficulty in having social distancing.

No internal plastic shields are being installed on county buses, partly because everyone will be wearing masks, Taylor said. He added that the shields could pose a danger in any type or collision and could obstruct the rear mirror views of drivers.

Taylor said that unless the weather is too cold or rainy, all windows in the bus will be kept open to allow air flow.

Because the number of bus routes needed will be doubled with the hybrid half-day schedule, Taylor said mid-day bus routes may be driven by certified bus drivers who may not be the regular route driver and some routes may change to accommodate the new schedule.

If a student on a bus tests positive for COVID-19 a substitute bus will replace the regular bus until the regular bus is thoroughly cleaned.

New Albany Superintendent Evans says precautions similar in city schools

New Albany Superintendent Lance Evans said bus precautions for city school students are similar to those in the county.

Students will wear masks and bus drivers will wear masks and possibly have shields. Evans did not respond to a question as to whether interior plastic shields would be installed with seats.

Hand sanitizer will be available and spaced seating will be used to the extent practicable. Students will be educated about the precautions and no field trips will be held until further notice.

Buses will be inspected prior to students using them and the buses will be cleaned and disinfected after each route. The buses also will be aired out when not in use.

The same precautions will be used whenever the schools return to a traditional schedule with all students in the schools at the same time.

Plans for meal delivery if schools forced to close

In the event that city schools need to close, buses will be used to deliver meals, as well as deliver and pick up educational packets to and from students and families. If feasible, they will reduce contact by delivering multiple days of meals during a designated time.

If the county schools close entirely, buses will not be used to deliver meals. Student meals will be provided from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with sack lunches in a grab-and-go line at each school.