Phone Line Helps Parents Get Ready for the School Year

It's back-to-school season and time to figure out where the closest school bus stop is to your home, what time the buses arrive and drop off. For families new to the area, there's even more to figure out, school zones, registration needs and home-schooling requirements.

To answer all those questions and more the Manatee County School District on Tuesday is opening a special Parent Information Phone Line answer questions.

The phone line will be available at 8 a.m. on Tuesday. The phone number for general information is 941-708-4971, while the number for bus transportation is 941-782-1287 (782-1BUS).

The phone line answered thousands of calls last year and this year’s phone bank is being expanded to provide even more access for local parents.

The phone line for information on the transportation schedules will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., from Tuesday, Aug. 9, through Friday, Aug. 19. During the first week of school, from Aug. 22-24, the schools will expand the phone line hours to 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The 2011-12 school year begins in Manatee County on Monday, Aug. 22.