EUCLID, Ohio — The state's bus driver shortage has led one school district to close some schools for the rest of the week.
“We spent a great deal of time to address what this year would look like, to solve the learning loss that took place because of COVID the previous year, so we're frustrated we can’t have the kids in,” said Superintendent Chris Papouras.
Papouras said right now, four elementary schools and a middle school are learning remotely. He said that the bus driver shortage has been an ongoing problem, but when a large number of drivers went into COVID protocol, students in several buildings had to go virtual.
“As we know about COVID, some people are not affected greatly by it and can return to work in a short period of time, but others, this could be a month or two process, so we just need people to drive busses is the No. 1 factor,” said Papouras.
He said the district has spoken with state Rep. Kent Smith about working with the governor to have the National Guard take students to school.
The goal is to get students back to the classroom as soon as possible since this problem impacts more than just the school district.
“We also provide services to parochials, to privates, to charters and to special needs students that need to go to other places for their services. So not only is this impacting the kids that attend the Euclid Schools, but it’s impacting the entire city.”
The district said it was able to provide bussing for students in preschool and kindergarten. The high school is currently in session since the district doesn’t provide bus services there.
Euclid Schools are under contract with First Student Inc. and right now the company is offering a $2,000 bonus in addition to current salary for new bus drivers.
The district does provide tablets for students for remote learning.