Some LTHS Students Late Due To Bus Driver Shortage

LA GRANGE, IL — Showing up to school late is usually considered an infraction. But there is no way some Lyons Township High School students can make it on time. And that's no excuse — despite a school bus driver shortage.

For instance, one La Grange Park girl who attends Lyons Township High School's South Campus is picked up by the bus at 8:34 a.m. on late start Wednesdays. School starts just 11 minutes later.

Even with a straight shot and ideal traffic, that trip takes 12 minutes, according to Google Maps. But it's not a straight shot. And traffic on a weekday morning can be less than ideal. The girl's bus has two more stop after hers, and it also unloads students at the North Campus before going to South.

Last week, Greg Gardner, South Campus' associate principal, informed parents that the district's bus contractor, First Student, is resolving some remaining challenges with busing. He noted that a bus driver shortage has impacted its ability to provide bus service.

"These issues include early bus arrivals, late bus arrivals, missed stops, and missed routes both today and during our after-school service," Gardner said. "One of the challenges we've encountered is after school pick-up times. We are working to create communication groups for each route so that we can notify parents when their student's bus route is running late after school."

In an interview, Jennifer Bialobok, the school's spokeswoman, confirmed that the La Grange Park girl's situation is not uncommon. She said it takes time for drivers to settle in any year, but the problem is worse with the shortage.

"There were routes that we knew we could not accommodate," she said. "There are routes that don't have a late start pickup. These routes are picked up at their normal time of day."

On Monday, the school posted to its Facebook page that parents can bring their students to the campuses as early as 7:30 a.m. on late start Wednesdays. Students arriving before 8:15 a.m. should report to the cafeteria or library, the school said. Those arriving after 8:15 a.m. will be given access to other areas withing the buildings, according to the school. The first period starts at 8:45 a.m.