Sequatchie County Schools will dismiss early Friday over a shortage of substitute bus drivers, according to school district officials.
Schools will dismiss car riders at 11:20 a.m. CDT Friday, and buses will pick up students starting at 11:30 a.m., according to a statement posted on the district website.
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Director of Schools Sarai Pierce said unexpected absences of regular drivers pushed the number of subs to replace them past their limit this week, forcing the decision to dismiss early Friday.
"It is our responsibility to handle the day to day operations, and we do that by putting the safety of students first," Pierce said in an emailed statement. "All full-time bus driver positions are staffed. We do have some drivers out for a variety of personal reasons and not enough subs to cover routes Friday. Multiple considerations are taken into account before making a decision to dismiss early."
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The system needs qualifying drivers to help out, she said.
"We are currently accepting applications for substitute bus drivers," she said. "To qualify, an individual must hold a Class B Commercial Drivers License with passenger and school bus endorsements."
Anyone interested may apply at sequatchieschools.net, Pierce said.
— Compiled by Ben Benton