Princeton City Schools Superintendent Dr. Mari Phillips warned families Thursday, Sept. 24, that a labor dispute between bus contractor First Student and its drivers could halt service for more than 5,200 daily riders.
Phillips sent a notice across all district community pages saying the district had been informed of ongoing labor discussions between the Cincinnati-based company and its bus drivers. A work stoppage, she said, could affect transportation for students across schools in Evendale, Woodlawn, Sharonville, Springdale and Glendale.
Schools remain open on their regular schedule as of Sept. 24. Phillips told families no action is needed yet but urged them to start thinking about backup plans.
No deadline has been set.
What the contingency plan covers
District and building leaders have prepared a plan addressing student arrival and dismissal, attendance and tardiness policies, meals, special education and specialized transportation, staffing, athletics and activities, safety and family communication.
If buses stop running, families who can drive their children will be asked to do so. The district said it is developing procedures to identify and support students who cannot get to school without bus service. Phillips acknowledged in the notice that losing transportation would be a hardship for some families.
Earlier substitute driver warning
The Sept. 24 notice followed a Sept. 16 alert from Phillips about a shortage of substitute bus drivers affecting routes districtwide. In that earlier communication, Phillips cited an Ohio Capital Journal report of a statewide 15% daily bus shortage and said some substitute drivers were coming from outside the Princeton area.
The Sept. 16 notice addressed substitute driver shortages on individual routes. The Sept. 24 notice raised the possibility of all bus service stopping.
What families don't know yet
The district's notice did not name the union involved in the labor talks, identify the contract issues in dispute, or give a deadline by which a stoppage could begin. No statement from First Student appeared in public records as of Thursday.
Phillips directed families to watch for official Princeton City Schools communications for updates.
