Updated: School bus driver absences in Lexington shuts down routes. Student absences excused.

Due to absences of bus drivers, Fayette County Public School officials canceled some morning bus routes Friday and excused absences for affected students, according to a letter sent to school families.

Originally, bus services to 12 schools were canceled Thursday night. District spokesperson Lisa Deffendall said the projected staff absences for Friday morning originally caused the district to alert families of a plan to cancel five bus routes.

But at noon Friday, Deffendall said once staff arrived they were able to cover the runs for two and a half of the bus numbers.

“This was an issue of staff absences, not a bus driver shortage,” Deffendall said.

“Although we encourage families to make alternative arrangements to get their children to school tomorrow, we recognize that this is an inconvenience,” Deffendall said in a letter to families Thursday night. “Tardies and absences will be excused for any students facing hardships due to this change in transportation schedules.”

Deffendall also said the district wants “to assure you that we are doing everything possible to minimize any impact on our students. We continue to recruit bus drivers and bus monitors so that we have coverage available for unforeseen circumstances.”

The school district has 249 buses on the road every day.

This story was originally published April 28, 2023 at 8:08 AM.