Richmond school leaders confirm bus delays are due to COVID-19 surge among drivers

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — According to health experts, COVID-19 cases are on the rise across the Commonwealth. On Tuesday, Richmond Public Schools (RPS) Superintendent Jason Kamras confirmed this surge has hit Richmond school bus drivers, attributing ongoing bus delays and reroutes to this outbreak.

More than a dozen Richmond school buses were delayed, re-routed and, in some cases —

“No bus ever came,” a Richmond mother said.

The mother pleaded for answers after she said her son was “totally forgotten” at the bus stop . School officials confirmed that an influx of bus drivers calling in sick the second week of school prompted the delays.

Multiple parents told 8News the problem persisted on Tuesday.

“[RPS] needs to be more prepared and [RPS] needs to be more organized,” Charlene Riley, a Richmond Public Schools mother who is heavily involved with the school community as a candidate for the RPS school board, told 8News.

On Monday, the school system told the media that staffing illnesses prompted the trouble. On Tuesday, Superintendent Kamras clarified these were cases of COVID-19.

“We have several bus drivers who came down with COVID,” Kamras said.

Some parents said they feared the staffing problems plaguing the second week of school were indicative of a “sick-out,” or a strike, as administrators finalized bus driver contracts

Our 8News morning team asked Superintendent Kamras about this theory.

“What? There is no bus driver strike,” Kamras said, laughing.

Other Richmonders questioned the staffing supply heading into the new year, but a spokesperson for RPS confirmed the school system has filled 96% of bus driver positions.

RPS said the school system is navigating this unexpected hurdle. A spokesperson encouraged people to wash their hands and be vigilant.

COVID-19 cases have steadily climbed across the Commonwealth since May — with a rapid surge in recent weeks.

At a press event Tuesday afternoon, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney shared a message to parents who are still concerned and confused.

“I would be frustrated as well,” Stoney said, adding that he is also a parent.

“I saw some frustration that you covered on TV last night and I fully understand their frustration,” Stoney said. “I know that Mr. Kamras has identified this as a hiccup and then, hopefully next Monday, we can get back on schedule and ensure that it’s no inconvenience to the parents.”

The school system said it still expects bus routes to get back to normal in the next few days. Officials confirmed they are following state protocol, which means those who called in sick have to be symptom – and especially fever–free for at least 24 hours before they can return to work.

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