Darien Schools Superintendent Alan Addley told parents in a 3 p.m. email Sunday that they should expect school buses to be running normally on Monday — because the drivers all got their vaccines or are getting tested, as mandated.
“The drivers for Darien’s bus company, First Student, have complied with the executive order to be vaccinated or submit to weekly testing and we are not anticipating a disruption to bus transportation tomorrow,” Addley wrote.
Addley noted that there have been news reports that drivers in some districts might not be showing up for work Monday because they’ve refused to either get the vaccine or the tests, as mandated by an executive order from Gov. Ned Lamont.
Across the state, about 350 bus drivers are expected not to report for work Monday morning, according to a Friday report by WTNH-TV news. The Hartford Courant says only about 200 in Connecticut are expected not to show up.
According to a survey by the Connecticut School Transportation Association, made up of bus drivers in the state, a sample of 1,558 drivers from 12 bus companies said they aren’t vaccinated. Out of that number, 1,331 said they would get tested weekly, which the mandate allows for them to continue driving.
A total of 227 said they would do neither. Since only a fraction of the drivers were surveyed, the number could be much higher.
Nevertheless, Addley said, Darien Public Schools should have bus service as usual.
“Enjoy the rest of this beautiful Sunday,” he added.
Full Text of the Superintendent’s Email
Dear Parents,
This is just a quick correspondence to reassure parents that school busses will run as normal tomorrow.
It has been reported in the media that school bus drivers in some school districts might not show up for work on Monday because they are refusing to abide by the Executive Order to get vaccinated or submit to COVID weekly testing.
The drivers for Darien’s bus company, First Student, have complied with the Executive Order to be vaccinated or submit to weekly testing and we are not anticipating a disruption to bus transportation tomorrow.
Enjoy the rest of this beautiful Sunday,
Sincerely,
Alan Addley, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools