Administrators Report Great Start To 2021-22 School Year

Crawford County R-1 administrators reported Aug. 26 that the new school year is off to a great start.

“People are excited to be back,” said BES Principal Joe Obermark, a sentiment echoed by BMS Principal Brian Witt and BHS Principal Matt Peregoy. “The energy is great.”

The new year began Tuesday, Aug. 23, in accordance with state rules that say the calendar must begin no earlier than 14 days prior to Labor Day.

Bourbon also has launched a four-day school week.

Classrooms will be empty most Mondays. The trade-off is a longer school day, but administrators said through the first three days, there were no issues.

The custodial staff received high praise.

Witt credited the custodians for creating a clean environment.

Obermark said the custodians are happy to be at work.

Superintendent Dr. Kyle Gibbs attributed the turnaround to Doug King. who is working with a fully-staffed department.

Obermark said the painting that was done throughout the elementary school during the summer has transformed the building.

Transportation secretary Jessica Becker said they have gotten off to a smooth start, though she acknowledged a first-day hiccup.

Becker told the school board it took 28 minutes to load buses on the first day, but by Wednesday, they had buses loaded and rolling off the parking lot in eight minutes.

“That is an accomplishment for transportation,” she said.

The district is working without a full staff of drivers as the search continues for more.

She said the department is working on rolling out a new system that will allow drivers to see exactly where to stop and who is getting on and/or off the bus.

Eventually, parents will receive a device that gives them the ability to where the bus is.

“The route will be on an app, and parents can get on their phones and see where the bus is located,” she said.

So far, the system is located in just a few of the buses.