Almost 17,500 students will be answering the now mythical ringing of the school bell today (Wednesday). This is the start of the 2013-2014 school years for St. Mary’s County Public Schools, which always open on a Wednesday, to give teachers and staff a chance to get settled in.
Two construction projects, the Mechanicsville E.S. driveway and parking lot improvements and Spring Ridge M.S. fire damage restoration, just beat the ticking clock to be ready for the open.
The school bus drivers are also ready. One day last week they all did a trial run of their scheduled routes. This year the schools will be utilizing 44 independent contractors who own and operate a total of 243 buses, of which 163 are used for the daily scheduled routes, 21 for special education routes and 59 that are held as spares.
The drivering public is urged to pay special attention today as many students may not be familiar with where they are going.
As he has done since being appointed to his position, Superintendent Dr. Michael Martirano will visit several schools with an entourage that will include School Board President Dr. Sal Raspa, NAS Commanding Officer Capt. Ben Shevchuk, Commissioner President Francis “Jack” Russell, Sen. Roy Dyson and Del. John Bohanan. They will be visiting Spring Ridge M.S., Great Mills H.S., Lexington Park E.S. and Fairlead Academy.
Other members of the central office staff will visit other schools also accompanied by elected officials, including school board members.
.
