School started in Shelton on Wednesday, after being delayed one day because of a lack of school bus drivers.
But one week prior to school starting, the city faced a shortage of drivers as some decided to remain working for their former bus company.
The superintendent said he had to cancel school on Tuesday to give the city time to hire more drivers.
“They were clearly not ready. And I was giving them extra time. In spite of comments to the contrary, it was not a political decision. It was about giving the team on the city side enough time to get everything in order,” said Superintendent for Shelton Public Schools Chris Clouet.
Clouet said the city hired drivers from another district on Tuesday and it brought the total number up to 56.
So right now, they are only short four drivers. Clouet combined some of the bus routes to make up for those missing drivers, but he warned parents to be prepared for delays at the bus stop as they work out the kinks.
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Chris Renda, who has two daughters in the district, said he was happy school started.
“I’m glad it was only a day. I didn’t want it to drag on,” said Renda.
It came as a surprise to him and his family when they canceled the start of the school year on Friday afternoon.
“We kind of expected there might be trouble because it’s the first time the city is trying to run the school buses. Quite honestly we were just really surprised it was that late in the game. So it was very disappointing. Kind of had to pivot, make some plans, it was very difficult,” said Renda.
Chairman of the Board of Education in Shelton Mark Holden said he is hoping this was just a bump in the road in what will otherwise be a good school year.
“I’m looking forward to an amazing year. We have amazing teachers, amazing administrators in this district and we have amazing kids,” Holden said.
