Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools reports 6,000 more registrations compared to 2023 as deadline for transportation looms

CHARLOTTE ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is reminding families to register their students for transportation “as soon as possible.”

As of Monday, July 29, more than 75,000 people have registered, an increase of 6,000 registrations compared to this time last year, CMS said.

The school system plans to welcome back more than 140,000 students for the 2024-25 school year on Monday, Aug. 26.

“In order to best ensure transportation for your child on the first day of school, registration must be completed before 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1,’ CMS announced this week.

Registration can be completed here. School officials said any transportation request after August 1 will cause a delay in service.

DEADLINES

• Students who are enrolled in CMS by August 1 and have registered for transportation services should have a stop for the first day of school on August 26
• Students who have moved, had a change in PowerSchool, and have registered between August 2-22, should have their stop in place for the PM bus ride on August 27
• Students who have moved, had a change in PowerSchool, and have registered between August 23-27, should have their stop in place for the PM bus ride on August 29
• Students who have moved, had a change in PowerSchool, and have registered between August 28-30, should have their stop in place for the PM bus ride on Sept. 4

Transportation Adam Johnson told school board members on July 18th, that his department has braced for a backlog in route change requests.

He explained the “routing department processes more than 20-thousand different change request . . . It creates such a backlog that we’re not able to get information to parents that need transportation for the first day of school.”

BUS LABELS

Bus labels will no longer be printed by the Transportation Department, CMS announced.
Starting on Aug. 19, here are the various ways for families to see bus information.

• Here Comes The Bus app
• AlphaRoute
• Call Transportation at 980-343-6715
• Call your school

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools said it could take several weeks to process alternate stops and daycare stops at the beginning of the school year.

The school district is looking to fill several positions for the 2024-25 school year including transportation, teachers, custodial services, technology services, and building services.

There is also the issue of getting more bus drivers to fill the 30 vacancies the district currently has.

There are 809 drivers on staff, with 51 drivers on medical leave.

There are 65 applicants who have been invited to attend an upcoming training class on August 5th.

However, even if they pass a background check and go through the full process, it will be closer to October before they can transport students.

“All of the things that need to happen before they actually get their commercial driver’s license and start driving kids for Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools,” Johnson explained. “That’s is still about 52 to 53 day process.”

The district, however, hopes to grow on major goals it set and achieved in 2023-2024 regarding transportation.

In a graph shared with board members, the district increased its on-time arrival rate to 93.7% from 90.9%; with a PM average of 92.6% from 87.5%.

It has also decreased the number of buses that have needed fewer repairs following inspections by the state.

To apply for an opening with CMS, click here .

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