The school district will be in contact with parents in the coming days regarding school bus availability -and parents will be asked to take their own children to school where possible.

That’s according to the minister of education, Brian Warr, who attended yesterday’s weekly COVID-19 update.

It’s estimated that over 7,000 students may no longer be able to take the bus, and the school district says no more buses are available.

Warr says parents can expect a call in the coming days. The school board will be reaching out to see who will be taken to school by other means.

Warr told reporters yesterday that the board ordered 39 buses last fall, but supply issues are being experienced throughout North America.

Bus Drivers Concerned About Expectations as Mask Mandate Comes Down

Meanwhile, bus drivers are concerned about adding another layer of responsibility, namely policing the mandatory mask policy.

Masks are not compulsory in the classroom but they are on the school bus.

Operator Dave Callahan questions just how much is to be expected of drivers.

He notes that drivers already have to police the kids to make sure they are behaving on the bus and not getting out of their seats. Adding the additional layer of monitoring for face masks to the mix would make it difficult to focus on driving, says Callahan.