News Summary
The Jerome School District canceled classes for two days to address significant bus transportation issues that left many students stranded. An increase in bus riders and a newly redesigned routing system created chaos, prompting parents to drive their kids to school. The district has since implemented new transportation rules and confirmed ridership information to improve the situation. A meeting is scheduled to discuss these changes and gather parental input, emphasizing the district’s commitment to resolving transportation challenges and ensuring students’ safety.
Jerome – The Jerome School District canceled classes for two days, on Thursday, Aug. 21, and Friday, Aug. 22, to resolve significant bus transportation issues that left students stranded well past the school day. Classes resumed on Monday, Aug. 25, following an overhaul of the transportation system.
The transportation difficulties arose after an increase in registered student bus riders, growing from 950 to 1,300, combined with a newly redesigned routing system. As a result, some students were waiting for buses until after 6:30 p.m., leading to chaos and strong frustration among parents, who described the situation as an “absolute fiasco.” Many opted to drive their children to school, resulting in long lines of cars forming outside various schools.
To better manage the transportation logistics, the district has implemented new rules effective the week of Aug. 25. Only registered students with confirmed bus routes will be allowed to ride the buses. Any students without confirmed routes will have to remain at school until their parents can pick them up. This decision comes after several parents reported inconsistencies regarding their children’s eligibility for bus services, including cases where registered students were disqualified without clear communication from the school district.
In response to the ongoing concerns, the Jerome School District is actively contacting parents to verify addresses and ridership information to ensure accuracy in the updated system. Additionally, no new riders will be accepted during the adjustment period aimed at establishing reliable transportation routines for existing students.
The district has also introduced a new walking zone, set at half a mile around schools, with specific exceptions for major road crossings near Jerome High School, where the distance extends to one mile. Updated bus routes and stops have been made available on the Jerome School District’s website for parents and students to review.
Changes to student pick-up and drop-off patterns are also in effect, which include designated zones and adjustments to traffic lanes at various schools, notably Horizon Elementary School. Parents are requested to utilize the designated drop-off/wait line and park appropriately should they need to leave their vehicles.
A meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 26, at 6 p.m., at the district office. This meeting aims to address transportation issues and gather input from parents regarding the recent changes. The district has emphasized its commitment to resolving the ongoing transportation challenges and ensuring a smoother experience for students and parents alike.
As the school year progresses, the Jerome School District continues to work on enhancing bus routes and safety measures, aiming to prevent further complications and ensure students can arrive at school and return home safely and on time.
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Additional Resources
- KIVI TV: Jerome Students Return to Classes
- Wikipedia: School Transportation
- KMVT: School District Addresses Transportation Issues
- Google Search: Jerome School District Transportation Issues
- Magic Valley: Jerome School District Transportation Update
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School
- KTVB: Jerome School District Cancels Classes Due to Bus Issues
- Google News: Jerome Idaho School Issues
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BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER The BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBaltimore.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Baltimore, Baltimore County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Stakes, and Artscape. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce and Visit Baltimore, plus leading businesses in shipping and healthcare that power the local economy such as the Port of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Maryland's dynamic landscape.
