Prince George’s County School Board Tackles Bus Driver Shortage and Communication Improvements
In a recent meeting held on Wednesday, a committee of the Prince George’s County Board of Education focused on two pressing issues facing the local school system: a significant shortage of bus drivers and the need for enhanced communication with parents. These challenges have become all the more critical as schools across the county strive to provide a reliable and effective transportation system for students.
The Bus Driver Dilemma
According to Keba Baldwin, the Transportation Director for Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS), the district is grappling with a shortage of nearly 200 bus drivers. Despite a strategic reduction in the number of bus routes, this deficit has led to continued delays in bus services, hampering the daily commute for students. Baldwin highlighted that the school system currently employs 847 drivers to cover 1,035 routes, indicating that even with fewer routes, the driver shortage is acutely felt.
In a bid to combat this issue, PGCPS has implemented a new standardized bell schedule designed to streamline operations. The number of start times has been reduced from 13 to just three, while dismissal times have been consolidated from 17 to six, all with the goal of increasing efficiency and minimizing delays. However, Baldwin conceded that, despite these efforts, some buses still suffer from tardiness.
Enhancing Communication with Families
To improve communication with families, PGCPS is utilizing multiple tools aimed at keeping parents informed in real-time. The district has placed employees at each bus lot to enhance communication efforts, particularly through platforms such as SchoolMessenger and the StopFinder app. The latter provides families with real-time bus tracking, ensuring that they remain updated about their child’s transportation. Baldwin assured attendees that StopFinder will be consistently updated to reflect any changes in bus schedules.
Additionally, notifications regarding late buses or alterations in routes are disseminated through email, text messages, and phone calls, allowing parents to stay informed without unnecessary hassle. The district has also developed a Transportation Resolution System that enables community members to submit transportation-related concerns, receiving an average of around 150 requests per day. Remarkably, more than a thousand of these requests have been resolved since the system’s implementation on August 12.
Transition to New Family Portal
Beyond transportation discussions, the committee also reviewed PGCPS’ transition to a new family portal known as ParentVUE, which replaces the previous SchoolMAX system. Andrew Zuckerman, the chief information and technology officer for PGCPS, reported that over 55,000 families have activated accounts on ParentVUE since the start of the school year. While this figure is slightly lower than the 58,000 accounts activated on SchoolMAX at the same time last year, it sets a positive precedent for future engagement.
Zuckerman shared plans for a comprehensive campaign aimed at increasing ParentVUE enrollment by 10 percent, an ambitious goal that he believes is achievable. Board member Shayla Adams-Stafford emphasized the importance of leveraging existing resources, suggesting that PGCPS utilize parent resource centers to promote the benefits of ParentVUE and encourage registration.
Moving Forward: Addressing Challenges
The challenges faced by PGCPS regarding bus driver shortages and parent communication are not unique to this district but resonate throughout many school systems across the nation. As schools continue to navigate the post-pandemic landscape, the need for effective transportation solutions and enhanced parental engagement has never been more critical.
In light of these ongoing issues, it’s essential for PGCPS to remain proactive in addressing their transportation needs while amplifying their communication strategies. With the initiatives outlined during the meeting, including better bus tracking, real-time updates on delays, and the new ParentVUE portal, the school system is taking significant steps toward improving the overall experience for families.
As the school year progresses, the board and transportation officials will need to keep close tabs on the situation, continually seeking feedback from parents and community members. By fostering open lines of communication and actively addressing the driver shortage, PGCPS can work towards creating a more efficient and reliable transportation system that supports student success.
For ongoing updates on PGCPS’s efforts to enhance student transportation and parental engagement, be sure to follow our blog as we provide the latest news and developments in the community.
