Bus woes mean no classes for Troy, Joliet school districts

Weather-related problems with Troy School District 30-C and Joliet Public Schools District 86 buses forced the cancellation of all classes Friday.

District 30-C Superintendent Todd Koehl sent out a message to parents Thursday about students getting the day off.

“Unfortunately, Troy 30-C must cancel school tomorrow, Friday, February 1, 2019, due to weather-related issues with our diesel buses that makes it unsafe for us transport students,” Koehl said in the message.

“Forty percent of our 77-student capacity buses are under repair due to frozen fuel lines, frozen fuel filters and frozen water separators,” Koehl said. “We cannot get the needed parts to repair the other 60 [percent]. Even though we are working through the day today, we cannot complete the project, and we will not have the time to test all buses before sending them out to transport students. We understand that this is an inconvenience. We are disappointed to not be able to open [Friday]; however, we must consider the safety of our students first in our decision-making.”

Sandy Zalewski, District 86 director of communications and development, sent out a message stating, "Due to bus transportation concerns, all Joliet District 86 schools will be closed on
Friday, February 1, 2019, for students only. Full-time staff are to report for work."

Friday marks the third consecutive day of called off classes for Troy and Joliet schools. They, along with many other districts, closed schools Wednesday and Thursday because of record-breaking low temperatures.

The courthouse and all county facilities not part of 24-hour operations were closed until 12:30 p.m. Thursday.