Maryland students return to school amid teacher shortage and bus problems

BALTIMORE -- Tomorrow is the first day of school for many children in the Baltimore area.

From teacher shortages to COVID-19 concerns, WJZ has been following the issues school systems in the area are facing as they prepare to welcome students back.

Some students have told WJZ that they are excited about the first day of school. Their family members are excited too.

"It's really an excitement and it takes me back to when (my granddaughter's) mom was in school," Baltimore resident Rhona Watties said.

Children who attend schools in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County head back to class on Monday.

School district leaders say they're preparing for the new year and trying to navigate through challenges.

One of the biggest challenges they face is the nationwide teacher shortage, which is impacting districts all across the county.

"Kids need to bond with a teacher," Watties said. "That bonding experience is something that is kind of irreplaceable."

School districts have been trying to make hires.

"We have been hiring and having recruitment efforts all year," Baltimore County Superintendent Darryl Williams said. "Staffing is not a one-season activity. It's a year-long activity."

Some districts are also dealing with bus driver shortages. In Anne Arundel County, some bus routes had to be canceled to make up for the vacancies.

Meanwhile, in Howard County, the school system warned on Sunday night that its students and their parents may not be able to use the Howard County Public School System bus locator "due to an issue" with a vendor.

"HCPSS staff are working with the vendor to get the site up as soon as possible," school officials said in a social media post.

Amid all these difficulties, school leaders are also focusing on student safety. Baltimore City School leaders and law enforcement met on the subject last week.

Parents are also worried about how their children will be protected against COVID-19.

"The concern I had was when they return to school from over the weekend, they're tested on that Monday," Watties said. "They don't get results until Wednesday."

Even with these challenges, parents are happy to see their children back in the classroom.

But some of the children will be asked to leave those classrooms early.

High temperatures forecasted for Monday and Tuesday has prompted Baltimore City schools to dismiss students from schools without air-conditioning ahead of time.

Schools with start times between 7:30 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. will release students at 11:30 a.m. 

Schools with start times between 8 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. will release students at 12:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, schools with start times between 9 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. will release students at 12:45 p.m.     

Here is a complete list of the schools and their early dismissal times.

Schools that will release students at 11:30 a.m.

•    Baltimore City College

•    Curtis Bay Elementary/Middle School

•    Furley Elementary School

•    New Era Academy

•    Empowerment Academy

•    Eutaw-Marshburn Elementary School

•    Franklin Square Elementary/Middle School

•    Montebello Elementary/Middle School @ PDC

•    Vanguard Collegiate Middle School

Schools that will release students at 12:30 p.m.

•    Benjamin Franklin High School at Masonville Cove

•    Harlem Park Elementary/Middle School

•    City Springs Elementary/Middle School

•    National Academy Foundation

•    The Mount Washington School (lower building)

Schools that will release students at 12:45 p.m.

•    Youth Opportunity

•    Cross Country Elementary/Middle School

In:
• Baltimore
• Howard County
• Baltimore County
• Anne Arundel County