Superintendent Michael Maine greeted bus drivers at the transportation department Monday morning as Martin County schools began the year. District officials said enrollment this school year is flat and bus routes were consolidated to increase efficiency and save costs. Maine said all reports showed everything was on time and all students arrived, though there were some delays due to traffic.
Traffic appeared manageable outside Hobe Sound Elementary Monday morning, and one crossing guard said it was the best day since they started working there. Maine visited the now B-rated Hobe Sound Elementary, where third grade teacher Crystal Brandt said her class would write expectations together. A fourth grader said they were excited to have friends again.
Maine outlined the district's goals for the year: eliminating C-rated schools, ensuring 100% of students are on reading level, and making sure every student arrives home safely. Maine said he hopes by the end of the first week students feel safe and excited to be back and are starting to get back into the academic routine.