Gallatin County Schools Must Make Sudden Changes Among Bus Driver Shortage

New bus routes and school start and dismissal times were announced Wednesday.

(Gallatin County, Ky.) - Gallatin County Schools are changing school start times because of staffing shortages.

School district leaders say an unfortunate number of medical conditions among transportation staff have forced the school district to make permanent changes to the transportation schedule.

“We have had many short-term solutions in place with the hopes that circumstances would improve. Sadly, this is not the case. A more permanent solution was required. We understand the timing is not ideal,” superintendent Larry Hammond stated in a letter to parents.

Starting March 14th, bus routes will be combined and schools will have varying start times, reducing the number of school bus drivers needed.

On the new routes, kindergarten through 5th grade students will ride separately from 6th through 12th grade students.

According to the school district, the new times are as follows:

Gallatin County Lower Elementary

New start time: 8:35

New dismissal time: 3:35

Time building will open: 8:00

Gallatin County Upper Elementary

New start time: 8:30

New dismissal time: 3:30

Time building will open: 8:00

Gallatin County Middle School

New start time: 7:30

New dismissal time: 2:30

Time building will open: 7:00

Gallatin County High School

New start time: 7:30

New dismissal time: 2:25

Time building will open: 7:00

Hammond added that the ATC and iLead students will be on the same schedule as the high school. “We have confirmed with the ATC and iLead Academy that this change will not cause an issue at these locations.”

Preschool and Head-start will be on the same schedule as the Lower Elementary. Early Head-start will remain on the current schedule as this a self-transport program.

Parents are asked to reach out to the school district with questions.