Heat And Bus Concerns As Boston Students Head Back To School

BOSTON (CBS) - Boston Public School students headed back to class Thursday amid concerns about the heat and the buses.

Problems with charter school bus routes last week left some kids stranded at bus stops in the city. But the interim superintendent wants to reassure parents the administration's prepared if there's trouble.

According to the Boston Globe, bus drivers have been working without a union contract since last Friday, but negotiations are ongoing and all routes are expected to be covered.

Interim superintendent Laura Perille told reporters that the district is working hard to address any concerns.

"I'm pleased to report my texts have been buzzing all morning. The early buses left the yard quite early, already fanning out across the city," Perille said. "Every first day has some bumps and glitches but I think the important thing is how quickly we respond."

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said he and others are concerned about the heat because "most of our buildings were built pre-World War II, and some of our buildings were built in the 60s and 70s, so I do get concerned there, because we don't have air conditioning in all our buildings."

Walsh said "we'll monitor it all day." He said school officials are working together "with the school leaders and the teachers to make sure that our kids have a good day today."

Perille called student safety on their way to and from school "always our top priority."

Read: Perille's Letter To Families

With temperatures expected to reach record highs in Boston Thursday, there will be extra water and fans available for students, who are asked to wear comfortable yet appropriate clothes to school to deal with the heat.

For more back to school information, visit bostonpublicschools.org/backtoschool