With more than 15 buses out and temperatures as low as 4 degrees, Bullitt County Public Schools remained in person.
Bullitt County Public Schools (BCPS) called for an in person school day Dec. 15, leaving students with no way to or from school in freezing temperatures. On a repost of BCPS Transportation/Community facebook post, listing buses out Dec. 15, to My Mount Washington, My Community! facebook group, many parents are expressing their frustrations with the decision. “This was an irresponsible choice to have in person classes that could put kids in danger,” one user said, “Imagine the kids who didn’t know their buses were canceled, going to the bus stop… frostbite can kick in quickly in these temps!” Some students were unaware their bus was out, and were only told because of parents passing by. “Please investigate why student safety was not a priority in this decision to still have in person classes.”
Many students also expressed their concerns as well. In a poll, 87% of students, and or their family, believed there should have not been in person school. Many comments on the poll cited reasons such as “Our students should not be standing in 7 degrees @ 5-6 am,” and, “It was freezing and most kids couldn’t even show with buses! Not to mention ice.”
One student, Kayley Weinbriner, was one of the many that did not have a bus. “I couldn’t be here the first day that a lot of classes were studying for finals,” Weinbriner said, “and even if we were still doing normal stuff, that’d be important.” Weinbriner and most other students agree that this could’ve been more useful as NTI, “We could’ve done any extra planning, and I could’ve had access to work.”
Throughout the day student drivers complained about varying things from heating in their car, or lack of, to the walk to and from their spot. “I had to wear my giant winter coat,” senior Lauren Sexton said, “I was actually almost late for the first time this year.” Most attribute the backup on the road to drivers, both new and experienced, having concerns about slick roads, “The many other parents being forced to find ways to drop their kids off at school today definitely added to it,” she said. While Sexton had the luxury of a parking spot near to the school doors, many others did not. Students reported the gate by the football field, which many student drivers use to get to the front door faster, was locked. Many were forced to add an additional 2-5 minutes to their walk. “ (Students) said it was awful since the sidewalks were still covered…,” Sexton said. The sidewalks persisted well after, even on Dec. 16 people walking to their cars were choosing a blacktop path rather than the ice packed sidewalks.
“Our primary consideration is road conditions,” Superintendent Jesse Bacon said, “When winter weather hits, a district team physically drives the most difficult roads to determine if they are safe for bus travel. This was done yesterday(Dec. 14), and the team determined vehicle traffic on our roads was safe.” Bacon expressed confidence that this was the right decision for BCPS, “We prepared for the cold by keeping the heat running in all buildings over the weekend, instead of scaling back as we normally do. Additionally, we knew the temperature was forecasted to rise quickly today, reaching above 30 degrees before dismissal.” Other determining variables for BCPS are wind chill advisories or other similar hazardous conditions. None of this criteria for school closure on Dec. 15 was applicable, so students remained in person.
When asked about the bus situation, Bacon believes that apps and other resources were availed to prepared students and families, “We now have bus tracking apps available to families, which notify them when the bus is close to their stop so students don’t have to stand outside any longer than necessary,” Bacon said, “While it was cold this morning, if students dressed appropriately and took advantage of the technology we make available, they could safely navigate to school today.”
