Change in Bus Routes Would Affect Clayton Schools

The Johnston County school system is considering adding an extra route for each bus that serves a Clayton school.

Posted 9:10 p.m. Aug 3, 2007 — Updated 12:59 a.m. Aug 4, 2007

CLAYTON, N.C. — The Johnston County school system is considering adding an extra route for each bus that is assigned to serve schools in Clayton.

Part of the reason, according to Johnston County Schools spokeswoman Crystal Roberts, is growth.

"We're growing exponentially, everywhere," she said, "but Clayton is the fastest growing."

The school system is also considering the plan because of a cutback in the school system's transportation budget. The plan avoids the system's having to purchase additional buses.

Under the proposal, each bus assigned to Clayton's seven schools would run a third route each day. Giving drivers enough time to run the additional routes would mean changing when students begin or end their school days.

The changes would affect Clayton High School, Clayton Middle School, Cooper Elementary School, East Clayton Elementary School, Riverwood Elementary School, Riverwood Middle School and West Clayton Elementary School

"This will not be a drastic change, but it will make a difference for our parents," Roberts said.

For example, high school students would have to begin and end classes 30 minutes earlier, and elementary school students would report and end 30 minutes later.

School officials said they have already started communicating with local parent organizations in case the Board of Education approves the plan at its Aug. 14 meeting.

But some parents told WRAL Friday they were not aware of the proposal and needed as much notification as possible before school starts Aug. 27 to plan.

"Especially, when you're talking about before- and after-school care," parent Shawn Lawrie said. "Those things have to be arranged ahead of schedule."

"We will definitely make sure that we're communicating with our parents so that they will be prepared for the first day of school," Roberts said.

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