Shelton Schools To Open Wednesday, Bus Routes Posted

SHELTON, CT — Pack those backpacks kids, Shelton Public Schools officially opens Wednesday.

The school district announced the decision to open around 4 p.m. Tuesday. The full list of bus routes can be found on the district website.

Original story: Dozens of city residents protested outside city hall Tuesday after the start of school was postponed due to issues with school buses.

The city and Board of Education went to court last year after the Board of Education signed a busing contract with Durham School Services. The two sides settled and agreed to let the city take over busing services for the district for the 2019-2020 school year.

Shelton Public Schools were supposed to start Tuesday Sept. 3, but Superintendent Dr. Chris Clouet announced Friday that school would tentatively start Wednesday. There was uncertainty over whether the city had enough bus drivers and if they were certified, according to the Connecticut Post.

"This is not the time for blaming or 'throwing rocks', but the simple fact is the City-run Shelton Student Transportation Services project is not ready," Clouet said on Facebook Friday. "We anticipate opening on September 4. Bus runs and further information will follow."

Mayor Mark Lauretti told the Post that the city was only three drivers short and that he was confident there would be enough drivers going forward.

Parents at the protest expressed frustration over the postponement at the protest Tuesday morning with some laying blame on Lauretti who pushed for the city to take over busing services, according to the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Lauretti said in an interview on the Chaz & AJ radio show that 10 drivers left a week ago because Durham School Services offered them a bonus.