KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Knox County schools resumed classes Thursday.

The students of Sterchi Elementary School were back in the classroom and the teachers couldn’t have been happier.

“Every year is different, brings new challenges, with all the kids, the curriculum and things that change over the years,” said first-grader Anna Heatherly. “But I’m really excited to start my 16th year. Like I said, nothing changes on the first day, the nervousness is still the same as the first year.”

Even as schools begin to reopen, KCS still faces a shortage of bus drivers, requiring drivers to nearly double their routes to ensure all children are in school on time.

“There will be no students arriving after the bell in the morning, and there will be no students missing classes,” said Ryan Dillingham, transportation director for Knox County Schools. “The biggest impact will be felt in the afternoon when students are picked up late. Elementary school will leave classes at 2:45 p.m., but they may not leave campus at 2:45 p.m., the same goes for middle and high school.”

Dillingham said they are working to address the shortage and are continuing to hire new drivers to address the shortage.

“We’re working with our bus operators on strategies to increase hiring and attract new employees. We have a bus driver training program called Transportation U,” he said. “Nine drivers just went through that and now they’re going through the testing process.”

KCS also highlighted the new app designed to help parents keep track of bus stops and routes in case of changes.

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