Over 900 Students, 37 Bus Routes Affected As Bridgewater Is Short Drivers

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Bridgewater-Raritan has had a rough start to the 2021-2022 school year. Flooding damages, delayed start and now bussing issues have arisen.

On Tuesday, Superintendent of Schools Robert Beers said the major challenge facing the school district revolves around transportation.

"Unfortunately, two of our contractors informed the district just prior to Labor Day that multiple routes within our district would not be serviced due to a lack of bus drivers. Specifically, the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School district is short 37 different bus routes, affecting over 900 students, said Beers in a letter to the community.

The district is considering two options.

First, the district is sending out a survey to the community asking parents to report if their students will not use transportation this year.

"Families will have the option of requesting transportation if the need arises during the school year," said Beers. "The goal is to figure out who will be present on our buses during the school year."

Second, the school administration is looking at bus routes to possibly add an additional tier of bussing in order to provide transportation to everyone. This means that start times and dismissal times in multiple schools may need to be adjusted beginning Monday, Sept. 27.

Beers said he would send out specific information regarding school start times by Monday, Sept. 20.

"Please understand that our overall goal is to minimize changes to start and dismissal times throughout the district," said Beers.

Along with bussing issues, the school district is also dealing with flood damages from Hurricane Ida.

Three school buildings sustained damage due to floodwaters including Crim and Hamilton primary schools and the Middle School. As a result the first day of school was pushed back to this past Monday.

As of Tuesday, both Crim and Hamilton primary schools were able to return to full-day, in-person learning after having a virtual start on Monday.

"Unfortunately, the Middle School will continue to utilize a virtual format for a minimum of the first two weeks of the school year, due to the extensive mitigation efforts needed to reopen," said Beers.

Additional updates related to the opening of the Middle School for in-person instruction will be sent out by the end of the week.

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