Monday notes: School starts today; school board election tomorrow; bus drivers needed

It’s that time of year again. (FCPS image)

If you don’t have school aged children, you might be wondering why there’s more traffic than usual this morning. For the first time in recent memory, Fairfax County Public Schools starting school before Labor Day.

School officials and the police are asking motorists to be on the lookout for kids walking and biking to school, as well as for school buses making pickups and dropoffs.

Tomorrow @fcpsnews will be moving over 139,000 kids on 1,600+ school buses. Please use caution and be mindful of bus stops and walkers. pic.twitter.com/PDMYpfdd68

— Fairfax Co. Police (@fairfaxpolice) August 27, 2017

At least four schools in the Route 1 area will have new principals this fall, including Carl Sandburg Middle School, Bryant Alternative High School, West Potomac High School and Waynewood Elementary.

Drivers needed

Speaking of buses, FCPS is in need of close to 100 bus drivers. and will be relying on supervisors to drive routes during the first week of school. FCPS is currently accepting applications and will provide training. See more about the shortage on WTOP.com. 

Election coming

Making this week even more hectic is a special election Tuesday for the an open at-large seat on the Fairfax County School Board. Many poling stations are at schools and election officials are asking that voters try to vote before or after the times when children are arriving or leaving schools. 

The election is Tuesday because of the resignation of at-large member Jeanette Hough, who stepped down in May after less than two years in office. There are four people running in the special election to finish her term. While the candidates do not run as members of a political party, Fairfax Democrats have endorsed Karen Keys-Gamarra, while Fairfax Republicans have endorsed Chris Grisafe. The other two candidates are Sandra Allen and Michael Owens.

See more about the election on the county’s website.