BIXBY, Okla. -- Bixby Public Schools is working to improve their transportation methods after experiencing delays with bus routes on their first day of school.
"We’re trying to move about 3,500 students on 35 buses with multiple routes, it is complicated," said Rob Miller, Superintendent of Bixby Public Schools.
In general, parents understand a new school year comes with some issues.
"Usually first days are little hectic, new drivers trying to learn the route, new kids, trying to figure out the stops," said Harley Compton, a Bixby parent.
However, some Bixby parents say their kids didn't come home from school until 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Superintendent Miller says there were students standing outside by the high school in the intense heat for about an hour waiting for their buses. He knows this because he was out there with them.
"It was hot, I was pretty sweaty at the end of that time period and I know it was uncomfortable for our kids, we need to do better and we will," said Superintendent Miller.
He says the building was open and students received water while they waited for the bus.
This year in Bixby, all elementary and intermediate schools release students at 3:05 p.m. while middle school, ninth grade, and high school students get out at 3:46 p.m.
"The challenge for us is we got about a 45 minute window between our elementary routes and our secondary routes, that is a very quick turnaround," said Superintendent Miller.
Bixby realized that challenge on their first day with those long delays, but every day Superintendent Miller says they're working with bus drivers and principals to improve efficiency for students.
"We have the same goal as all of our parents and that is to safely and efficiently transport our students to and from schools," said Superintendent Miller.
Parents can sign up for text alerts from Bixby Public Schools notifying them of any bus changes or route delays. You can sign up using the instructions on their website.
"It helps a lot, I mean that way I know that if the bus is going to run late, at least I was notified," said Compton.
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