ASHEBORO — The Randolph County School Board met Monday and approved a tiered bussing pilot program. The new program is intended to mitigate the current bus driver shortage and meet the State’s Department of Public Instruction efficiency ratings. County bus routes were more than two hours this school year, with pickup times starting before 5:30 am. In some cases, students were being dropped off at home after 5:30 pm.
By focusing on elementary and middle school routes, the county expects to significantly cut down route times and limit the number of necessary drivers.
This pilot system does not come without its share of challenges. Parents who drop their kids off at school will also be forced to make adjustments to their morning routines as designated school start times are expected to change. Designated middle schools are expected to begin class as early as 7:20 am. By contrast, select elementary schools won’t start class until around 8:40 am.
Uwharrie Ridge 6-12 and Southeastern Middle will see shifts from 8am and 7:40am,
respectively to 7:20 am start times. Coleridge, Franklinville, Farmer, Ramseur and Tabernacle
would see their start times shifted to 8:40am.
