Mentor schools are closed on Tuesday because of a large number of absences in the transportation department.
The district plans to be open on Wednesday.
The district sent the following letter to Mentor families:
Dear Mentor Schools Families,
We want to share with you the reason behind today’s difficult decision to cancel school across our district with additional details about how our transportation department operates. We have 48 bus routes each day, each of which includes multiple runs for our elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as transportation for special education students based on their Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), private, and parochial students. (So one route could have four runs both AM and PM.)
Our transportation department is already stretched thin, as we currently have two full-time driver positions unfilled. This means we begin every day already needing to cover or split those two routes, usually with our office staff. We also currently have four drivers out on extended leave.
This morning, in addition to those shortages, we had an additional five drivers absent, including three last-minute call-ins, making it impossible to split any more routes. In total, this left us with nine drivers needing coverage in the morning (which would have impacted 29 runs), and we were projecting 14 drivers to need coverage this afternoon (which would have impacted 41 runs). Even with all available substitute drivers, plus our two dispatchers, the Fleet Maintenance Supervisor, and a mechanic, we simply did not have enough staff to cover our routes and runs.
Closing school is never a decision we make lightly, and we know it disrupts families’ schedules. At this time, we do anticipate being able to move forward with regular school operations for the remainder of the week.
We continue to actively recruit new drivers and appreciate the patience and understanding of our families as we work through these staffing challenges. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a bus driver for Mentor Schools, please visit our website for more information or use THIS LINK.
Thank you for your support of our students, staff and schools.
Sincerely,
Craig Heath
Superintendent, Mentor Public Schools
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