A few changes have been made to the Chandler Transportation plan.
“Our big thing this year, is anyone who can transport their child, we are asking them to transport their own children,” Chandler Superintendent Melody Toma said.
One of the changes is the in-town shuttle has to be applied for this upcoming school year.
“The shuttles are for kids who don’t have a set route,” Toma said.
The in-town shuttle drops students off at different areas.
Toma said the in town shuttle is to help parents who don’t have a car or their work schedule doesn’t allow for them to pick up or drop off their children.
“Busses are one of the most difficult places for us to social distance,” Toma said.
The bus routes will stay the same.
“We’re just hoping our numbers will decrease due to the fact that we are asking for the help of the community, to those parents to take their children,” Toma said.
Toma said to leave the buses for students don’t have any other way to get to school.
“We are truly asking for parents’ help,” she said.
Stroud Superintendent Joe Van Tuyl said their transportation plans are still under review.
“Major modifications to the traditional busing are difficult,” he said. “Those transitions pose a lot of difficulties.”
Wellston Superintendent Dwayne Danker said they are preparing plans to balance the health and safety measures with learning.
“There are going to be lot’s of changes,” he said. “We’ve been making lots of plans and talking about options. Everything is constantly changing,”
As of right now, Wellston Public Schools is scheduled to start Aug. 20.
Wellston will be offering three options including traditional classes, blended learning and virtual learning.
An application is required for the blended and virtual learning option.
Traditional classes and virtual learning are available for grades prek through 12th, while blended learning is only available for grades 9th through 12th.
“We’ve been doing a lot of technology updates, even before the virus,” he said.
“Our technology is in much better shape than it has been.”
Danker said through the bond issue and Cares Act grant they were able to spend in excess of $100,000 on laptops and tablets for students from 2nd grade through 12th grade.
They also purchased a new online curriculum for the elementary and high school, cleaners, disinfectants, masks and three electrostatic sprayers for backpacks, rooms and buses.
“We’re making plans to do the best we can to keep everybody healthy and safe while still providing a good learning environment,” he said. “It’s a tough situation that we’re all going to have to work together.”