District transportation staff and the superintendent told the RSU 52/MSAD 52 board the district is operating “on a thread” as it tries to maintain routes and extracurricular trips while short of drivers and custodians.

Alex (transportation/PTV representative) briefed the board on driver staffing and route coverage, saying the district is considering reconfiguring its fleet staffing: “We are looking to transition from 23 full size bus drivers and 1 minibus driver to 22 and 2 minibus drivers,” Alex said, explaining the move would let smaller runs and some sports trips be covered by minibuses.

Superintendent Carrie reported a resignation and a hire in transportation: Wanda Pullen, Bus 8, resigned effective Sept. 26; the district has hired Terry Canning, who will primarily cover athletic trips to reduce contracted vehicles. Carrie said the district has had 11 cancellations so far this school year compared with 10 at the same point last year and that hiring and training efforts are ongoing.

Custodial staffing and facility use
Carrie and Alex told the board custodial staffing is also short, leaving second-shift positions unfilled district-wide. That shortage means the district cannot expand Sunday facility use now; one custodian currently opens and monitors widespread gym use on Saturdays, and there is no additional staff to cover Sunday rentals.

To address short-term needs, staff described two contingency options: seeking third-party custodial contractors for second shift (the district has solicited quotes but found some proposals unsuitable) and training high-school students for paid second-shift roles as part-time employees. Alex clarified subcontracting would be a temporary solution when no substitutes or hires are available: “The subcontracting is for when we don't have people — not to replace our employees but when we can't find subs,” he said.

Board questions focused on labor and contract implications; Carrie said student hires would be employed as substitutes or part-time employees and that the district would coordinate with staff unions as needed.

Why it matters: Bus cancellations disrupt families’ routines and can create equity concerns if certain groups of students are affected more than others. Custodial shortages affect facility availability and safety; the board asked staff to continue pursuing local hires while testing contractor options and to return with implementation details if they propose a student-employee program.

Other operational notes
- Transportation staff reported one staff member recently earned a required license and other candidates are in training.
- District staff are also evaluating locker-room and bathroom privacy upgrades tied to Title IX–related policy work and plan to add those ideas to an upcoming RFQ for architects.

Tapered ending: The board asked staff to keep the finance and policy committees informed of any contracting proposals and to bring specifics on student-hire plans and union implications before approving any new programs.