By Howard Packowitz
PEKIN, Ill. (25 News) – Classes will resume for students in Pekin School District 108 as buses start running again, but the superintendent said parents or guardians of preschoolers are being asked to drive their children to school on Monday.
The district had numerous busing problems with transportation provider Alltown on the first day of school on Wednesday, prompting schools to close Thursday and Friday.
Superintendent Leonard Ealey said district staff spent the weekend contacting families of about 2,100 students confirming information including bus stop locations, pick-up and drop-off times.
Ealey said there will not be bus service Monday for preschoolers at the Pekin Family Education Center (PFEC). The superintendent said the district has received routes, but there are inaccuracies and additional safeguards need to be in place for picking up and dropping off the younger children.
“Given the transportation challenges we have experienced, we believe additional time is necessary to make sure these safeguards are in place and that the PFEC routes are accurate before we begin transporting our youngest students,” said Ealey.
“We recognize the inconvenience this may create for families, but we believe taking this additional time is the safest and most responsible course of action,” Ealey said.
If K-8 parents or guardians have not received confirmation of their child’s transportation information, they are asked to email their school before the start of school on Monday.
Alltown is in the first year of a five-year contract to provide bus transportation for District 108. The company is being paid $4.8 million during the contract’s first year.
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