News Summary
Parents in New Britain are voicing their concerns about transportation problems just one week into the school year. Complaints have emerged regarding the contracted bus company, First Student, which has faced criticism for late pickups and drop-offs, as well as transporting students to incorrect locations. Distressing incidents, including a child with autism being taken 40 miles away from home, have raised alarms among families. The school district is seeking accountability and better communication methods while First Student is working to address these challenges and improve their service.
New Britain, CT – Parents in New Britain are expressing frustration just one week into the school year due to issues with the bus company contracted by the city, First Student. Complaints have surfaced regarding late pickups and drop-offs as well as instances of students being taken to the wrong schools, raising concerns among families relying on timely transportation for their children.
One significant incident involved a mother whose son has autism. After his school day ended at 3:30 p.m. in Waterbury, he did not arrive home at the expected time. After contacting dispatch for information, the mother learned that the GPS tracking on the bus had been lost. Utilizing an iPhone locator, she discovered that her son had been transported nearly 40 miles away to Danbury. In a stressful turn of events, the mother had to work with the dispatcher and bus driver to reunite with her son at a 7-Eleven in Southington, where he reported feeling scared, tired, hungry, and in pain due to the extensive travel.
In another case, a parent reported that her nonverbal son, who uses a wheelchair, was taken to the wrong school due to a lack of proper paperwork by the bus driver. The child was supposed to be taken to a school in Killingly but ended up in Plainville, arriving late at 10:45 a.m. The emotional impact on the child has been severe, causing self-harm and dysregulation. Furthermore, the same parent experienced delays when her son was left at school for an additional two hours after the bus broke down on the highway.
The issues with the bus service have not only resulted in late pickups but also caused students to return home hours after their scheduled times. Superintendent Dr. Tony Gasper has acknowledged communication problems and the apparent unpreparedness of First Student for the start of the school year. He emphasized that the district is actively seeking better methods of communicating delays to parents in a timely manner.
First Student has issued an apology for the complications concerning timely deliveries and driver availability. The company has initiated measures to address these challenges by bringing in out-of-state drivers and vehicles and implementing incentives to attract qualified drivers. The school district is also contemplating financial penalties against First Student to ensure accountability regarding its service failures.
These transportation issues have begun to create distress not only among families but also for school staff who are managing the aftermath of these inconsistencies. Since First Student took over the contract for specialized transportation services in June, parents have reported multiple incidents involving their children being dropped off late or at incorrect locations. Each event significantly exacerbates the anxiety and concern parents feel for their children’s safety and well-being.
In response to these ongoing challenges, the school district has issued a formal notice of concern to First Student, which includes a demand for a corrective action plan to resolve these persistent issues. All stakeholders involved are hopeful that solutions will be implemented swiftly, allowing for a smoother transportation experience for special needs students and peace of mind for their families.
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Additional Resources
- NBC Connecticut
- Wikipedia: School Bus
- WFSB
- Google Search: School Transportation Issues
- WTNH
- Google Scholar: School Bus Service Issues
- NBC Connecticut
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Transportation Services
- CT Insider
- Google News: New Britain School Bus Problems
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