Bibb County schools bring back walking school bus to fight absenteeism

Beverly Wright, coordinator of Community Schools United, said absenteeism and tardiness typically spike after holidays, but the program has helped reduce both.

September 3, 2025

Denise Turner,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Bibb County schools are restarting their “Walking School Bus” program to help students return to class after holidays.

L.H. Williams Elementary and the United Way of Central Georgia’s Community Schools United host the initiative, where volunteers from the Pleasant Hill neighborhood walk students to school while discussing different topics along the way. Mystery guests greet students at school to make the morning walk more engaging.

Beverly Wright, coordinator of Community Schools United, said absenteeism and tardiness typically spike after holidays, but the program has helped reduce both.

“Last year, we actually had a 91% increase on a specific day when we had the Cherry Blossom Queen visit the school, so everyone was excited,” Wright said.

The mystery greeter on September 3 was Kevin Bacon, the official mascot of the Macon Bacon baseball team.

Future Walking School Bus dates include: