On Jan. 5 as Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) students returned to their classes, families reported 2,833 new positive cases of COVID-19. That number has been decreasing. Only 45 new cases were reported on MCPS’s COVID-19 dashboard on Feb. 8.
That positive news has eased MCPS’ shortfall in bus drivers, teachers calling in sick or quarantining and substitutes available, administrators reported Feb. 8.
For the past 12 days, all bus routes were covered. However, some of those routes were doubled up to handle the continuing need for more drivers. MCPS is still about 100 drivers short, it was reported at the Board of Education’s Feb. 8 meeting.
There has been a steady decline in requests for substitute teachers. Currently, more than 60% of requests are being filled by available substitutes. Prior to the pandemic, the rate reached between 70 and 75%.
MCPS is holding bimonthly job fairs in an attempt to fill more vacancies.
