JONESBORO, Ga. — Clayton County Public Schools’ (CCPS) transportation department will begin offering Spanish classes to its team members in an effort to improve communication with parents and students.

The voluntary classes will be held twice weekly during the school day over the next few months at the district’s Professional Learning Center. The classes are designed to help transportation staff understand basic conversational phrases.

“There was a growing need to bridge the language gap between Spanish-speaking parents and students and non Spanish-speaking drivers and monitors,” Transportation Director John Lyles said. “The goal is to inspire better communication to improve safety and establish a better relationship between parents and the transportation department.”

More than 300 transportation team members signed up for the initial class, and the department is considering a second class for January.

CCPS’ transportation department comprises 600 employees. It provides service to 32,000 students daily with 750 buses and support vehicles.