End to Bus Strike Could Be Closer than Union Thinks

It`s pajama day in the Cody household. At least that`s how parent Brenda Cody explains to her five foster children that they`re not getting dressed today, because they`re not going anywhere. "By choice last week, rather than sending them in to no teachers, no support staff and maybe strangers, I kept them home," Cody said. It doesn`t matter to her 10-year old. He`s still wearing his shoes, coat, and backpack. Because they all have behavioral problems, Cody says the children wouldn`t transition well to different teachers or classrooms. Even then, she says it`s impossible for her to pick up and drop off all of them. "I could go to Oak Brook and pick up two, then come back to Scott and pick up another one, wait until my 3rd one comes home in between 3:15, 3;30, then go up to Northwood to pick her up," she said. As the Pulaski County Schools bus strike enters its second week, over 3,000 students are missing classtime, since most of the teachers are present and teaching. The strike could be over sooner than the union plans. Today, Superintendent Don Henderson warned that he is giving employees until Friday to return to work, or he`ll recommend that they`re fired. Meanwhile, the district is also taking proposals from other school bus companies to take over the job. "The employees in the street refusing to drive these students have to accept some responsibility for the fact these kids aren`t getting educated," said Superintendent Don Henderson. Union members continue to meet daily. Leaders say ending the strike does come up, but they continue to picket. Meanwhile, attendance was up Monday by about 15% since Friday. Eighty-one percent of them were present.