Name: Schools deal with transportation issues as they prepare for 5 days of in-person learning
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Schools deal with transportation issues as they prepare for 5 days of in-person learning

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AdvertisementOfficials say they're struggling to maintain distance on busesSchools deal with transportation issues as they prepare for 5 days of in-person learningOfficials say they're struggling to maintain distance on busesHide TranscriptShow TranscriptGOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER HAS NOW MOVED UP THAT DATE TO APRIL 19. SOME DISTRICTS SAY THEY’RE WORKING OVERTIME TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. TRANSPORTATION HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MAJOR HURDLES DISTRICTS ARE TRYING TO GET OVER AS THEY PREPARE TO WELCOME BACK STUDENTS IN-PERSON ON APRIL 19. ESPECIALLY UNDER STATE HEALTH GUIDELINES. &gt;&gt; WE’RE STILL TRYING TO MAINTAIN THE THREE FEET OF DISTANCE, AT LEAST. AND WE’VE GOT BUSES THAT WILL BE NEAR IMPOSSIBLE. &gt;&gt; YOUR REGULAR 73 PUPIL BUS CAN MAYBE ACCOMMODATE 25 AND 27 STUDENTS THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH BUSES AND NOT ENOUGH BUS DRIVERS. TIM: HERE IN MANCHESTER, THE TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY IS PUTTING A PLAN IN PLACE TO ACCOMMODATE THE STATE’S LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT. &gt;&gt; ONCE WE START ADDING STUDENTS AND MORE STUDENTS START RETURNING, WHAT THAT DOES IS IT CHANGES THE SCHOOL BUS TIME, THE DROP-OFF, THE PICKUP TIMES. &gt;&gt; EITHER WAY, MTA IS READY TO ROLL THE BUSES ALL FIVE DAYS. TIM: GOVERNOR SUNUNU SAYS STAT COVID-19 RECOMMENDATIONS ARE JUST THAT -- RECOMMENDATIONS -- AND DISTRICTS CAN ADJUST TO FIT THEIR NEEDS WHEN IT COMES TO LEARNING AND TRANSPORTATION. &gt;&gt; WE WANT TO RECOMMEND THEY KEEP KIDS AS PHYSICALLY DISTANT AS POSSIBLE BUT THERE IS NO MANDATE OR ABSOLUTE REQUIREMENT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. IN SOME CASES, WHERE THE DISTANCING CANNOT BE MET, THAT IS OK. TIM: DESPITE WORKING THROUGH THOSE CHALLENGES, SOME SCHOOLS SAY THEY WILL HAVE STUDENTS IN-PERSON ON APRIL 19. REMOTE LEARNING WILL REMAIN AN OPTION IN ALL NEW HAMPSHIRE SCHOOLSAdvertisementSchools deal with transportation issues as they prepare for 5 days of in-person learningOfficials say they're struggling to maintain distance on busesNew Hampshire school districts have two weeks to prepare for teaching all students in-person, five days a week, but some school officials say that's not enough time.Some districts were planning to return to in-person learning the first week of May, after April vacation. The governor's executive order has now moved up that date to April 19. Some districts said they're working overtime to meet that order. Transportation has become one of the major hurdles districts are trying to get over as they prepare to welcome back students five days a week."We're still trying to maintain the 3 feet of distance, at least, and we've got buses that will be near impossible," said SAU 24 Superintendent Jacqueline Coe."Your regularly 73-pupil bus can maybe accommodate 25 and 27 students," said SAU 65 Superintendent Winfried Feneberg. "There are not enough buses and not enough bus drivers."In Manchester, the transportation authority is putting a plan in place to accommodate the state's largest school district. "Once we start adding students and more students start returning, what that does is it changes the school bus time, the drop-off, pick-up times," said Karen Holden, assistant director of school operations for Manchester Transportation."Either way, MTA is ready to roll the buses for the students all five days," said Kelly O'Brien-Hebert, transportation coordinator for the Manchester School District.Gov. Chris Sununu said state COVID-19 recommendations are just recommendations, and districts can adjust them to fit their needs when it comes to learning and transportation. "We want to recommend that they keep kids as physically distanced as possible, but there's no mandate or absolute requirement," he said. "So, in some of the few cases where some of the distancing, especially in transportation, where distancing might not be met, that's OK."Despite working through some difficulties, school officials in SAUs 24 and 65 said they plan to welcome back all students in-person on April 19. A remote option is still available in all New Hampshire schools for families who prefer to continue with that solution.New Hampshire school districts have two weeks to prepare for teaching all students in-person, five days a week, but some school officials say that's not enough time.Some districts were planning to return to in-person learning the first week of May, after April vacation. The governor's executive order has now moved up that date to April 19. Some districts said they're working overtime to meet that order.AdvertisementTransportation has become one of the major hurdles districts are trying to get over as they prepare to welcome back students five days a week."We're still trying to maintain the 3 feet of distance, at least, and we've got buses that will be near impossible," said SAU 24 Superintendent Jacqueline Coe."Your regularly 73-pupil bus can maybe accommodate 25 and 27 students," said SAU 65 Superintendent Winfried Feneberg. "There are not enough buses and not enough bus drivers."In Manchester, the transportation authority is putting a plan in place to accommodate the state's largest school district."Once we start adding students and more students start returning, what that does is it changes the school bus time, the drop-off, pick-up times," said Karen Holden, assistant director of school operations for Manchester Transportation."Either way, MTA is ready to roll the buses for the students all five days," said Kelly O'Brien-Hebert, transportation coordinator for the Manchester School District.Gov. Chris Sununu said state COVID-19 recommendations are just recommendations, and districts can adjust them to fit their needs when it comes to learning and transportation. "We want to recommend that they keep kids as physically distanced as possible, but there's no mandate or absolute requirement," he said. "So, in some of the few cases where some of the distancing, especially in transportation, where distancing might not be met, that's OK."Despite working through some difficulties, school officials in SAUs 24 and 65 said they plan to welcome back all students in-person on April 19. A remote option is still available in all New Hampshire schools for families who prefer to continue with that solution.Loading more articles...

AdvertisementOfficials say they're struggling to maintain distance on busesSchools deal with transportation issues as they prepare for 5 days of in-person learningOfficials say they're struggling to maintain distance on busesHide TranscriptShow TranscriptGOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER HAS NOW MOVED UP THAT DATE TO APRIL 19. SOME DISTRICTS SAY THEY’RE WORKING OVERTIME TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. TRANSPORTATION HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MAJOR HURDLES DISTRICTS ARE TRYING TO GET OVER AS THEY PREPARE TO WELCOME BACK STUDENTS IN-PERSON ON APRIL 19. ESPECIALLY UNDER STATE HEALTH GUIDELINES. &gt;&gt; WE’RE STILL...

Schools deal with transportation issues as they prepare for 5 days of in-person learning

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