Batavia school bus woes prompt route changes

Batavia school district transportation officials spent the weekend trying to fix problems with bus routes that plagued the first week of school.

"I'm sending you an apology today for all of the busing issues students have parents have endured since the first day of school," wrote Superintendent Jack Barshinger to subscribers of the BPS Messenger e-mail news service. The e-mail was sent at 5:25 p.m. Aug. 27.

"...I have no excuses to offer you, only my sincere apology and promise that we are doing everything we can to ensure that First Student corrects these problems and begin to earn back your trust."

By Sunday afternoon, "major" changes had been made to 90 percent of the routes and pick-up times, according to the district. And new routes were added to improve on-time performance in the afternoon.

Parents should check the Parent Portal at powerschool.bps101.net for the latest version of their child's busing assignment.