PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Providence school officials say 165 elementary and middle school students missed every day of school during an 11-day bus driver strike.
District spokeswoman Laura Hart tells WPRI-TV that 20 percent of those students had not missed any days prior to the strike.
Bus drivers launched their strike against private bus company First Student, Inc. Sept. 27 due to a dispute over retirement benefits. More than 9,000 students were affected.
Bus drivers returned to work Monday after reaching an agreement that includes increased retirement contributions.
Officials say the district-wide attendance average was 91.3 percent Monday.
Superintendent Christopher Maher says the district will work to help students who missed school due to the strike catch up in their classes.
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Information from: WPRI-TV, http://www.wpri.com
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