School bus drivers taking extra precautions for cold

Some schools were delayed or canceled on Friday because of the extreme cold as bus drivers preparing for the cold weather and made sure buses were warm for students.

Preparing the buses for the morning commute is just half the battle. At Shenendehowa, for example, there’s a plan in place to get students home as the temperature gets even colder.

“We’re going to communicate with the drivers when they come back for their afternoon shift to drop the kids closer to home, and honestly be on the look out for downed power lines, trees or limbs, which is usually associated with high winds which we know we’re going to experience this afternoon,” said Alfred Karam, the director of transportation at Shen.

The district did not have any delays on Friday morning, but they’re still facing a bus driver shortage, said Karam, like many other districts across the state. Anyone interested is encouraged to apply.