8.25.21 | An update on transportation issues.
We are doing all we can to avoid the cancelation of bus routes on Thursday due to a lack of drivers.
Today was another opportunity to do better at Holland Public Schools.
For many families who use HPS transportation, today was better than our first day of school. Parent Portal information synced up correctly and bus routes ran smoothly for many. However, for other families in the district, today was another frustrating day with HPS transportation as students waited for buses that never arrived. Again, I apologize for this added stress this caused for you and your child at the beginning of the school year.
We are doing all we can to avoid the cancelation of bus routes on Thursday due to a lack of drivers.
I want to thank the parents who have organized neighborhood carpools to make sure our kids are getting to school. Thank you parents and guardians who had to take time off work so that your kids could get to school on time. Thank you to our building secretaries, transportation office and support staff who have worked so hard the last few days to correct the problems. Thank you to our bus drivers who are driving 2 routes, sometimes even more, to transport our students to and from school.
By the end of this evening, I am told Parent Portal accounts for students at West Elementary, the Middle School, and the High School should be updated with transportation information. (Jefferson, HLA, and Holland Heights were completed last night.) Another email will be sent to you with that information when the update is complete.
While I can’t promise there won’t be any glitches in the Parent Portal information or that all buses will run without problems tomorrow, I can assure that we will not stop working until these transportation problems are solved. If the transportation information you receive tonight is still incorrect, please call your school building in the morning so they can help find a solution.
Please have patience with my team who have been working very hard for the last several days toward finding solutions.
WE NEED BUS DRIVERS! This is not just an issue at HPS; nearly every school district in the area is dealing with a driver shortage. We will pay $17.87 to $20.80/hour. We will pay for training and CDL licensure. We’re also working now on some creative incentives to ensure we have enough drivers to get all of the students who need transportation to and from school. You can apply on the district website.
Always Do Better,
Shanie J. Keelean
Superintendent, Holland Public Schools