UPDATED: September 29, 2026
Important Update Regarding Transportation: October 1-2
Dear Princeton Families,
Princeton City Schools contracts with First Student, Inc. to provide transportation services for our students. First Student is currently involved in labor negotiations with its employees. Princeton City Schools is not a party to these negotiations or the contract dispute. However, it is our students and families that are affected by any transportation disruptions.
While we hope the parties are able to reach an agreement, the district must be prepared for the possibility of a disruption to transportation services. The First Student, Inc. contract has a no-strike clause in effect until the end of the month. We are preparing for a stoppage anytime after September 30. To ensure our students can continue learning with as little disruption as possible, Thursday, October 1, and Friday, October 2, will remain open for all students. Our focus remains on our students, their learning, and continuing the positive growth we have seen throughout this school year.
To provide families with time to plan and to ensure learning continues with as little interruption as possible, we want to explain what school will look like on October 1 and 2 should transportation services be disrupted.
During these school days:
Schools will remain open, and students who are able to come to school are welcome and encouraged to attend in person.
Teachers and staff will report to work as usual, and our schools will operate throughout the regular school day.
Students who are unable to attend school because of transportation challenges will have access to learning opportunities from home.
We understand that the disruption of bus transportation may affect student attendance and arrival times. Families will not be penalized for transportation-related attendance or tardiness resulting from any transportation work stoppage on October 1-2.
See the information linked here for more specific details and Frequently Asked Questions.
Principals will send more communication specific to student learning, traffic patterns, and safety measures.
We know reliable transportation is essential for many of our families. With 5,200+ bus riders daily, we understand the significant inconvenience and challenges a work stoppage could create. Our goal is to provide families with as much advance notice and flexibility as possible while maintaining continuity of learning for our students.
We will continue monitoring the situation closely and will communicate promptly if an agreement is reached or if there are changes to the plan for October 1 and 2. Please continue to watch www.princetonschools.net, email, text messages, and our official social media channels for updates.
Thank you for your patience, flexibility, and partnership as we work to support our students and families during this situation.
Sincerely,
Dr. Mari Phillips
Superintendent
Transportation Work Stoppage Plan for October 1 and 2
September 29, 2026
Dear Princeton Families,
As we prepare for the possibility of First Student transportation disruptions on October 1 and 2, we want to provide additional information about what school will look like for our students and families.
Our goal is simple: keep students learning and maintain the positive academic growth we have seen throughout this school year. While transportation challenges may change how some students participate in school on these days, our commitment to providing meaningful learning opportunities remains the same.
Schools Will Remain Open
All school buildings will remain open, and teachers and staff will report to work as usual. Students who are able to attend school in person may do so.
We understand that transportation challenges may affect whether students can be in the building, as well as their arrival times. We will offer extended drop-off and pick-up times during the work stoppage. The school principal will provide more specific details about drop-off and pick-up.
Elementary:
During transportation work stoppage
Students can enter all buildings at 8:50 a.m. (Students will be marked tardy if they arrive after 9:30 a.m.)
Dismissal starts for all buildings at 3:15 p.m. (No supervision will be available for students after the official end of the school day)
Elementary students who typically take math in the morning at PCMS will be asked to report to their home elementary building. The PCMS teacher will provide assignments.
Middle School:
During transportation work stoppage
Students can enter the building at 7:50 a.m. (Students will be marked tardy if they arrive after 8:20 a.m.)
Dismissal starts at 2:45 p.m.
High School:
During transportation work stoppage
Arrival can begin as early at 6:50 a.m.
Dismissal will begin at 2:05 p.m.
Innovation Center:
During transportation work stoppage
Arrival for the AM session can begin at 7:00 am
AM Session: 7:15 am-10:15 am
Arrival for the PM Session can begin at 10:55 am
PM Session: 11:00 am-2:00 pm
Key Reminders for a Smooth Process
Stick to your assigned time window for both arrival and dismissal.
Follow staff directions and remain patient as we safely move all students.
We appreciate the flexibility and cooperation of our families as we work through these circumstances.
Learning From Home
Students who are unable to attend school in person will be provided assignments to complete from home. If you are unable to transport your child(ren), please contact your student’s school office so the school can properly mark your child’s attendance.
Elementary Schools: Students will receive paper assignments and learning materials to complete. *Elementary families will also have an opportunity to pick up additional student work during Teacher Conferences on October 1 if needed.
PCMS: Students will receive paper assignments and learning materials to complete.
PHS and Innovation Center: Students will receive assignments through Google Classroom or instructions from their teachers.
Scarlet Oaks: Students will need to report to school, on time, as scheduled. There will be no transportation provided during the bus driver stoppage.
Special Education Transportation
Alternative transportation companies will be provided for special education students to their home schools, including students who currently attend a program or building outside of the district.
Families with questions regarding individual transportation arrangements should contact: Special Education Department, at 513-864-1035.
Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities will continue as scheduled. However, district transportation will not be available to or from extracurricular activities and events.
Families will be responsible for arranging transportation. When possible, families are encouraged to coordinate and carpool with one another.
Any changes to individual activities or events will be communicated directly by the school, coach, advisor, or activity sponsor.
Keeping the Focus on Learning
We recognize that changes in transportation and daily routines can create challenges for students and families. We appreciate everyone's flexibility and partnership.
Most importantly, we want our focus to remain on our students. We have seen positive growth this school year, and we want to continue that momentum. Whether students are learning in our classrooms or completing assignments from home, we want October 1 and 2 to remain productive learning days.
We will continue to communicate with families as additional information becomes available. Please monitor www.princetonschools.net, email, text messages, and official district communication channels for updates.
Thank you for your continued support of our students, staff, and schools.
Sincerely,
Dr. Mari Phillips
Superintendent
Frequently Asked Questions: 2026 First Student Transportation
September 24, 2026
Dear Princeton Families,
We want to provide you with an important update regarding student transportation.
Princeton City Schools contracts with First Student to provide transportation services for our students. We have been informed of ongoing labor discussions involving First Student and its bus drivers, and there is a possibility of a work stoppage that could impact transportation services.
At this time, school remains open and operating on its regular schedule, and families should continue with their normal transportation routines unless notified otherwise.
We understand that any disruption in bus transportation would create significant challenges for many of our students and families. District and building leaders have been proactively preparing a contingency plan should a work stoppage occur. Our planning addresses school operations, student arrival and dismissal, attendance and tardiness, meals, learning, special education and specialized transportation, staffing, athletics and activities, safety, and family communication.
If a work stoppage occurs, families who are able to transport their children to and from school will be encouraged to do so. We also recognize that transportation may be a significant hardship for some families. The district is developing procedures to identify and support students whose ability to attend school may be affected by the loss of transportation.
Please know that no action is required from families at this time. We are sharing this information so that you are aware of the situation and have an opportunity to consider alternative transportation arrangements should they become necessary.
We will continue to closely monitor the situation and will communicate directly with families as soon as we have confirmed information. Please rely on official Princeton City Schools communications for updates.
Our priority remains ensuring that our students can continue learning in a safe, supportive environment while minimizing disruption to our families.
Thank you for your patience, flexibility, and continued partnership as we navigate this situation together.
Sincerely,
Dr. Mari Phillips
Superintendent