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How many kids can ride on a school bus during the coronavirus pandemic?
It seems like a pretty simple question. Apparently it’s not.
School superintendents have been trying to get the answer for the past couple of weeks as they prepare reopening plans and submit them to the state. They have been asking the county and the state for clarification of the rules.
“There’s been no clear answer to that,’' said Robert Lowry, deputy director of the New York State Council of School Superintendents. “And it’s a pivotal consideration.”
Many school officials are confused.
Can a district put a child in each seat? Do they have to leave a seat empty between each child? Can children sit in seats behind each other, or do they have to sit a row apart to space six feet apart?
The answers are key because they will determine how many kids can be put on each bus and how many bus runs a district might need to make to get kids to school.
“When we are reopening schools, we have to get the kids here,‘' said Fabius-Pompey School Superintendent Tim Ryan. “It’s a fundamental question we need to know the answer to, so we can move forward. What are the rules for seating kids on the buses?”
The rules are clear that kids have to wear masks on the buses and they need to social distance.
Beyond that it gets murky fast.
“It does seem to allow for some flexibility, but how to interpret that isn’t clear,’' Lowry said.
There is conflicting guidance: State education rules say students who are able must wear masks and social distance on the bus. The department defines social distance as six feet apart.
But state health department guidelines say masks are required and “individuals should maintain appropriate social distancing, unless they are members of the same household.” The health department requires districts to detail in their plans “how social distancing will be conducted on the buses.”
Both the governor’s office and Onondaga County Health officials said state health department rules supersede state education rules, which leaves officials to ask how much social distance is required.
Unable to get a clear answer from the state or county, several Central New York superintendents even asked if Syracuse.com | The Post Standard could reach out to the county and state for clarification.
The county’s interpretation is that kids can be seated within six feet of each other on the bus, but the county is awaiting verification they are correct, said Justin Sayles, speaking for Onondaga County. He wasn’t sure if that means one child per seat or two per seat - that’s a question for the state, he said.
Jason Conwall, a spokesman for the governor’s office, on Wednesday said school superintendents need to figure out for themselves how far apart kids should be on the bus based on the state guidelines. The state provided a framework, and superintendents are to use that in designing their plans.
“If there appears to be some flexibility in the rules, then the schools should make the decision they feel is best for their schools and their students,‘' he said. “if the state has an issue with (their plan), they will hear about it.”
Elizabeth Doran covers education, suburban government and development, breaking news and more. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact her anytime 315-470-3012 or email edoran@syracuse.com
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August 06, 2020 at 06:00PM
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How many kids can you put on a school bus during the coronavirus pandemic? Answer elusive - syracuse.com
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