Superintendent Statement for Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Consistent, reliable transportation is important to ensuring students are at school on time and ready to learn.
I am very disappointed that the negotiations ended today without a resolution and that the issues between the parties remain unresolved. Princeton City Schools is not a party to the labor negotiations between First Student and its employees, and the District cannot participate in or interfere with the collective bargaining process. However, we do have a responsibility to advocate for our students and families.
The District expects First Student to fulfill its contractual obligations and provide reliable transportation services for our students. We continue to communicate directly with First Student management about those expectations and the urgency of this situation.
Princeton City Schools remains focused on Every Student, Every Opportunity as the First Student bus stoppage continues. Our schools are open. Our teachers and staff are serving our students, and we are doing everything within our control to minimize the impact of this disruption on student learning.
Attendance data demonstrates the significant impact this disruption has had on our students and families. Student absence rates increased substantially during the first days of the work stoppage compared to typical attendance levels, although attendance has steadily improved in recent days as families continue to adjust and seek alternative transportation arrangements.
While we cannot attribute every absence to transportation, we know transportation barriers prevented a substantial number of students from getting to school on each of the first two days of the work stoppage. Although more students are returning in person, significant absences are still occurring.
Princeton staff will continue to collect and monitor attendance data each day to better understand the impact of the transportation disruption and work directly with families who are experiencing transportation challenges. Parents and guardians who are unable to get their children to school should contact their school so we know they are experiencing a transportation issue and can help keep their students connected to learning.
The limited transportation options currently available include van routes and a few school bus routes that were picked up by another transportation company. Because overall capacity remains limited, these transportation resources are being assigned based on existing service requirements and operational needs. We are also exploring additional options with Cincinnati Metro. At the Special Board of Education meeting on Monday, October 5, the Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Auxilio Services to arrange temporary coverage, prioritizing transportation for students with disabilities.
Our team continues to evaluate contingency options and determine what additional steps may be possible if reliable service does not resume. Any alternative transportation arrangement involves operational, contractual, safety, staffing, and logistical considerations, so I do not want to suggest that changing providers or implementing another solution can happen immediately.
I want to thank our families for their patience and flexibility, and our teachers, principals, support staff, administrators, and community partners for continuing to step up for our students. I understand that this situation places a tremendous burden on families who depend on school transportation. This disruption extends beyond transportation. For many working parents, adjusting work schedules, arranging alternative transportation, and managing unexpected drop-off and pick-up responsibilities creates significant challenges.
Our focus remains on supporting students, assisting families, and maintaining access to learning while this disruption continues. We will continue evaluating available options and advocating for a resolution that restores reliable transportation service for our community.
Superintendent Statement for Sunday, October 4, 2026
Dear Princeton Families,
The school bus driver strike involving First Student continues. Princeton City Schools continues to explore and secure alternative transportation options, as available, to help provide service for students during the disruption.
Beginning Monday, October 5, alternate vendors have limited availability to transport students. UTS will continue operating its existing Princeton routes. The District has also secured limited transportation options that will be shared directly with families affected by the route. These arrangements are based on vendor availability and the transportation resources currently available to the District.
We recognize that in securing alternative transportation options, Princeton City Schools cannot put a full fleet back out for all of our students. When we are able to secure routes, we will inform those affected families of their secured route. We continue to work with transportation providers to identify additional options and restore service to as many students and activities as possible. Families who have not heard directly from our transportation team should plan to provide transportation for your students.
We appreciate our families’ patience and flexibility during this disruption. We will share additional information as transportation options and routes are confirmed.
It is important that our students receive the best academic education available. While online learning and paper packets are available for students unable to get to and from the buildings, we appreciate all the efforts families are making to bring students to and from school. We also appreciate the efforts of our staff and students in remaining flexible and committed to education.
The end of the quarter is quickly approaching. High school and Innovation Center students are reminded to submit all assignments in a timely manner through Google Classroom and contact teachers with any questions. All elementary and middle school students must complete all daily assignments and submit them the next day you are present in school.
Assignments will be sent to PCMS students at 8:30 a.m. on Monday via ClassDojo. New assignments for elementary students will be distributed at 9:30 a.m. on Monday via ClassDojo. If you are unable to open or access the assignments, please contact your child’s teacher.
We know the lack of transportation is frustrating for families. With mediation, we remain confident that the negotiations between First Student and the drivers’ union can be resolved fairly and quickly.
Thank you for continuing to drive safely around our schools and neighborhoods. Our gratitude goes to staff, families, students, churches, and municipalities for working together to support our students.
Superintendent Statement for Thursday, October 1, 2026
The First Student, Inc. bus driver strike went into effect at 12:01 a.m. on October 1. First Student bus drivers did not operate any Princeton City Schools routes today. Other transportation providers continued their regular service.
As a reminder, Princeton City Schools is not a party to the negotiations between First Student, Inc. and its bus drivers. The District will continue to focus on supporting our students and families and maintaining educational services throughout this disruption.
Princeton City Schools plans to follow the same process on Friday, October 2.
“I want to thank our parents, family members, and staff who went above and beyond to help keep the school day running smoothly,” said Superintendent Dr. Mari Phillips. “We are also grateful to our local law enforcement agencies for their assistance with the increased traffic around our schools.
“From morning drop-off through afternoon dismissal, our families were patient, cooperative, and attentive to the directions that were shared. We know this disruption creates real challenges for many of our families, and we sincerely appreciate their flexibility and support.
“We also want to keep our students focused on learning and maintain the strong academic progress we have worked so hard to achieve. Princeton High School earned an overall five-star rating on the most recent Ohio School Report Card, and Princeton City Schools earned an overall four-star rating. Those results reflect the hard work of our students and staff, and we want to keep that momentum going. Having our students in class, learning alongside their teachers and classmates, is an important part of helping them continue to grow and succeed academically.”
Princeton understands that some families may not have access to alternative transportation. Schools are working directly with those families to make sure students receive assignments, learning opportunities, and appropriate support so learning can continue. Parents and guardians experiencing transportation challenges should contact their school or complete the Google Form their principal provided.
Families should continue to follow updates and instructions from their principals and teachers. Elementary and middle school students received paper packets of work to complete if they could not attend in-person instruction. Princeton High School and Innovation Center students have academic coursework to complete in their Google Classrooms.
District administrators and Central Office staff provided additional support at our schools during arrival and dismissal. “I would like to thank our Central Office staff, along with our teachers and support staff who stepped in wherever they were needed today,” said Superintendent Dr. Phillips. “It truly was a team effort.”
As we continue to see more students walking and additional vehicles around our buildings, we ask everyone to slow down, remain alert, and use extra caution in school zones and surrounding neighborhoods. The safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority.
Again, Princeton plans to follow the same process on Friday, October 2. Families should continue to watch for updates from the District and their schools as the situation develops.
The safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority, and we appreciate our entire Viking community working together to support Every Student, Every Opportunity during this disruption.