LOUISVILLE, Ky. — On Friday, Jefferson County Public Schools officials told Spectrum News 1 that cancelling bus routes would be their “worst-case scenario.”

What You Need To Know:


  •  About 100 Jefferson County Schools bus routes were cancelled Monday morning

  •  More than 25% of bus drivers called in sick 

  • JCPS officials say discipline issues on buses maybe part of the reason for the 'sick out'

On Monday, that scenario played out. About 100 bus routes were canceled this morning.

Amid the bus challenges, Christine Chapparosa says she would not feel comfortable putting her kindergartener and third grader on a school bus. Currently, her children walk to school.

“While I think that it would probably potentially stand up to problems, you know, I just think with the lack of guidance on the busses, even just a monitor would be a big help for the drivers,” Chaparossa said.  

On Friday, Chapparosa says she saw disorderly conduct on a bus she was passing by.

“I had witnessed some really out of control behavior. Up standing screaming at the top of their lungs. The bus driver was at a stoplight. He was trying to maintain control, you know, through yelling and with a whistle. But they just ignored him,” she explained.

JCPS officials say they are aware of complaints about discipline issues. They say it may be part of the reason for the current “sick out.”

“We are in the process of doing that. We’re in the process of making runs more efficient. We’re in the process of addressing all of these issues that we’re hearing about. But it’s not an easy fix,” Carolyn Callahan, the JCPS chief of communications and community relations, said. 

In a statement to Spectrum News 1, Teamsters Local Union 783, which represents JCPS bus drivers said, “Some of the drivers felt they weren’t being heard when it came to student discipline, overcrowded buses and long hours and felt they had to make a point.”

Teamster Local 783 says the union did not call for the sick out.

JCPS communications says the absences could affect more than test scores.

“When they miss school, they don’t just miss education, they miss food, they miss health care. They miss the ability to be around people who are going to smile at them,” Callahan says. 

Chapparosa says she would like the district to find a solution so transportation problems don’t continue to affect schools.

“I completely understand that some parents, this is a necessity, but I hate for the kids to miss school because it’s not a necessity for everyone. But how do you find that balance would be? You know, the number one question, how can they do that?”

JCPS officials have said no changes would be made to the current transportation plan until next year.    

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