Polk Schools to Open Call Center to Handle Bus Questions

Polk County Public Schools is opening a call center to handle school bus inquiries and issues for the beginning of the 2019-20 school year.

Parents and guardians can dial 863-534-7300 for assistance from Monday, July 29 through Friday, Aug. 23. The temporary call center will be staffed on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.*

Staff will be able to provide help with all manner of transportation questions, including student bus numbers; stop times and locations; transportation eligibility; bus delays and other topics.

"Last year, we heard from parents who said that they couldn't reach members of our transportation staff during the first several days of school. We want parents to know that we heard them loud and clear, and the creation of this call center is our response," said Superintendent Jacqueline M. Byrd. "We are committed to continuously improving the services we provide to our students and their families."

She asked people to please understand that bus delays are typical at the start of the school year, but will become less frequent after the first few weeks of school.

In addition to the call center, parents and guardians can access their child's transportation information online through the Parent Portal (polkschoolsfl.com/parentportal). Schools will continue to receive transportation materials, as well.

*The call center will open at 1 p.m. on Monday, July 29 and will be closed on Friday, Aug. 2 because of the district's summer schedule. Otherwise, it will be available on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday, Aug. 23.