One week into a bus driver strike that has left thousands of Princeton City Schools students without transportation, Superintendent Dr. Mari E. Phillips announced Tuesday that negotiations with First Student and the drivers’ union concluded without a resolution.
District urges reliable service from contractor
In a statement, Dr. Phillips emphasized that while the school district does not participate in collective bargaining, it expects First Student to honor its contract and provide dependable transportation. “Consistent, reliable transportation is important to ensuring students are at school on time and ready to learn,” she wrote.
The strike has caused a noticeable dip in daily attendance. Although the district reports that attendance has begun to improve as families arrange alternative rides, the early days of the work stoppage saw a substantial rise in absences directly tied to transportation barriers.
Alternative options being pursued
To mitigate the impact, the district is expanding limited van routes and has secured a few additional school bus routes from another transportation provider. Capacity remains tight, so assignments are being prioritized based on existing service requirements.
Dr. Phillips also disclosed that the board approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Auxilio Services to provide temporary coverage for students with disabilities. The district is in ongoing talks with Cincinnati Metro for further supplemental service.
Impact on families
Parents who cannot get their children to school are urged to contact their schools so staff can track transportation challenges and offer assistance. The district acknowledges the added burden on working families, who must adjust work schedules, arrange rides, and manage unexpected drop‑off and pick‑up responsibilities.
“I want to thank our families for their patience and flexibility, and our teachers, principals, support staff, administrators, and community partners for stepping up for our students,” Dr. Phillips said. “We understand this situation places a tremendous burden on families who depend on school transportation, and we are doing everything within our control to minimize the disruption to learning.”
Looking ahead
The district will continue to monitor attendance data daily and evaluate contingency options. While changing providers or implementing a new solution cannot happen immediately due to operational, contractual, safety, staffing, and logistical considerations, the district remains committed to advocating for a swift resolution that restores reliable bus service for the community.
For families still facing transportation difficulties, the district encourages direct communication with school offices to ensure students stay connected to their education during this ongoing work stoppage.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
