Thread by @TheNickFoy

So (as usual) today's @CltLedger is brilliant, offering an exposition as to what's going on with @CharMeckSchools and @CMSSupt's inability to open middle schools due to what (they claim) is a lack of available bus drivers.

Let's discuss, shall we? (1/12)

There are only two explanations for why the country's 15th largest district, in a city of 1.1 million people, doesn't have enough bus drivers available: Incompetence, or something more sinister. (2/12)

My school board member assures me that nothing nefarious is at play, so we shall assume the former. (3/12)

First, as I've mentioned before, the district has no idea how many kids are ACTUALLY riding the bus, and they're in no hurry to find out.

How hard can this be?

Again, my son's bus has had 2-3 kids on board. My guess is many buses around town look the same. (4/12)

Second, how in the WORLD can they just throw up their hands and say that it's too difficult and so we're not going to try and come up with a solution?

Stay at the office as long as you need to stay there to figure out a solution. Do not sleep until it's done. (5/12)

Third, even if they were to open middle schools and couldn't promise transport to every kid, is anyone in a WORSE position?

The kids who are doing "remote learning" would continue to do so. Those that are allowed to set foot in a school building could do so. (6/12)

Fourth, I've spoken with a friend who runs a trucking business. He says he has dozens of school bus drivers applying for jobs with him.

"There are definitely people out there ready to work." (7/12)

My board member tells me it's unfortunate because private companies can pay much higher hourly rates than the school district, which is fare.

But this is NOT A PROBLEM UNIQUE TO CHARLOTTE. FedEx, Amazon, UPS, etc., all exist in other cities, or at least I think they do. (8/12)

Fifth, during the meeting earlier this week, the @CMSboard kept telling the transport director and superintendent that they were doing a great job under hard circumstances.

On what planet is not being able to do the one thing you're supposed to do considered a great job? (9/12)

Sixth, every year we have a (sometimes significant) shortage of school bus drivers. Our response to the pandemic has (perhaps) increased that number.

It would not be acceptable to close schools for a lack of bus drivers in a "typical" year. Why is it acceptable now? (10/12)

Seventh, the @CMSboard and @CMSSupt were concerning themselves with the "governor's mandate(s)" regarding social distancing on buses, among other things.

Why are we more concerned about the governor's mandate than we are about the NC State Constitution? (11/12)

In short, this is all such a pathetic display. Parents are livid, as they should be.

School closures harm kids, and we have a board and a district that just doesn't care. (12/12)

And by "doesn't" I mean "don't." (13/12)