GREENVILLE SCHOOLS CANCEL BUS SERVICE …
S.C. governor Nikki Haley‘s decision to send nearly three hundreds school buses from the Upstate region of South Carolina to the coast to assist in evacuation efforts related to Hurricane Matthew has thrown a wrench in the Greenville County school district’s plans.
In fact it’s done more than throw a wrench … the district’s entire bus service has been shut down indefinitely as it assists with Haley’s evacuation.
“At the request of Governor Nikki Haley Greenville County Schools will provide at least 280 buses and drivers to assist with evacuations from the coast because of Hurricane Matthew,” a statement from the school district read. “Those school buses and drivers will finish their routes today, refuel, then head to the coast tomorrow morning. The school buses belong to the state and as a state asset are part of the South Carolina Emergency Preparedness plan.”
According to district officials, “students who are coded as bus riders and cannot find alternate transportation will be excused; all other students will be marked absent if they are not in attendance.”
Why not just close the schools altogether?
“We have made the decision to remain open because we believe it is the most helpful one for our families, particularly those who have young students who are unable to stay home by themselves,” the district said in a statement.
That’s true …
In fact we’ve heard from mothers throughout the central region of South Carolina who say they are disappointed with Haley’s decision to close their schools beginning on Wednesday.
“(It’s) hard on working parents!” one single mother told us, adding that the school shutdown “leaves a lot of kids home alone because their parents can’t afford or find child care.”
Haley is closing schools in the Midlands region of the state in an effort to keep transportation arteries clear for the planned evacuation of 1.1 million coastal residents on Wednesday.
Inconvenient? Yes. The right decision? We’ll soon find out …
(Banner image via iStock)