IPS recommends parents find alternative transportation for students Monday

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indianapolis Public Schools is advising parents and families of students to seek alternate transportation for their children Monday.

The recommendation comes days after dozens of school bus drivers called off work Friday, forcing the district to shut down its bus service and leaving thousands of kids unable to get to school.

Bus drivers called in at the last minute to let IPS know they were too sick to work. The district thinks the drivers were acting out after learning they’d have to reapply as IPS changes transportation companies for the next school year. If that’s right, IPS leaders say the behavior is unacceptable.

“Their lack of concern for the safety of students in elementary through high school in the middle of winter is disappointing,” Superintendent Aleesia Johnson said.

In a tweet Sunday morning, IPS said the district is continuing “to work with ASFCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) union leadership” but is “recommending families look for alternative ways to get their students to school on Monday.”

The school district is expected to share an update on school bus transportation later Sunday.