Dear Flint Community Schools Families,
We hope this letter finds you well and filled with anticipation for the scholars return to school. We are delighted to inform you that the power issues that disrupted our transportation services have been resolved, and school will resume as scheduled tomorrow! We understand the frustration and inconvenience caused by today's unexpected disruption. Our transportation provider, First Student, experienced a power outage at their garage (which is beyond their control), and unfortunately the loss of power meant they were unable to operate their buses safely. As a result, more than half of our scholars who rely on this transportation were affected. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
To address the questions that may arise:
- Why does the lack of power to the garage force the district to close? The lack of power at First Student's garage is critical for our transportation operations because it impacts their ability to prepare and dispatch buses. Without power, they are unable to fuel, maintain, and coordinate their fleet effectively, making it impossible for them to operate safely.
- Why does the lack of power prevent buses from running? What prevented the buses from running, exactly? Buses require a variety of resources that rely on electricity, including fueling pumps, maintenance equipment, and communication systems. Without power, these essential operations cannot function, and it would be unsafe to operate the buses without ensuring all systems are fully operational.
- Are there backup sources of power (i.e., generators) being run until the power is restored? While we do not have direct control over First Student's operations, we understand they are actively working with Consumers Energy to restore power. In cases like these, backup generators can sometimes be utilized, however, there are currently no generators at First Student’s property, and to the extent to which they are available and effective depends on various factors, including the nature and duration of the outage.
Once again, we are pleased to inform you that the power issues that disrupted our transportation services have been resolved, and school will resume as scheduled tomorrow! We deeply appreciate your understanding and patience during this unexpected challenge. Our top priority is always the safety and well-being of our scholars, and we have taken every possible step to ensure a swift resolution to this issue. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions or concerns. We are here to support you in any way we can.
Thank you for your continued partnership in your child's education.
Educationally yours,
Kevelin Jones
Superintendent, Flint Community Schools
ATTACHMENT: 2-15-24 Open Letter to FCS Families - School is Open Tomorrow - First Student Power Has Been Restored.