In our neighborhood, the school bus stop is packed with kids for the middle school pickup, but far less so for the earlier elementary and high school pickups. Most parents of those age groups opt to drive their children, because the bus just simply comes too early in order to accommodate the ridiculous school starting time. The middle school kids are the only ones that have a reasonable opening time. I can appreciate the need for qualified bus drivers. However, if CMS would pay them a decent salary and offer benefits, this would most likely end the problem.
Drivers have a tremendous responsibility for our children's safety.
Thank you again for helping bring this matter to light. There have been so many tragic accidents over the last few years involving our young people that could have been avoided if they had been riding a school bus. As far as I'm concerned, the CMS responses were a copout, as well as your ending. It just makes good sense for CMS to pay bus drivers a better wage to enable them to recruit, and they need to add as many buses as necessary to keep all rides under 45 minutes. This busing situation is definitely out of hand.