Pulaski County schools say driver shortage leaves routes strained; parents press for bus tracking and faster communication

Mady Nichols, the district's newest director for transportation, told the Pulaski County Special School District board that the department is short roughly 20 drivers and is operating under strain.

"As you know ... we are 20 drivers short," Nichols said, and described a roster of 378 routes served by 94 drivers and a fleet of 205 buses. She said driver recruitment is impeded by competition from neighboring employers and a churn in applicants: "the number of drivers applied in '24-'25 school year were 45. Only we retained 8 of those drivers. ... Number of drivers applied 25, 26 was 39, and we retained 5 of those." She said three new hires were in training and expected to finish soon.

The shortage, Nichols and other staff said, is interacting with attendance and activity trips to produce afternoon pinch points. Nichols summarized key figures for the board: 378 routes, 94 drivers (88 regular, 6 subs), three in training, and roughly 20 drivers needed to run all routes as designed.

Parents who spoke during the public comment period earlier flagged the same problem. Florence Wiley urged the board to address bus shortage and to ensure resources reach Harris Elementary. Michelle Prejota Wires, speaking for Sylvan Hills parents, said communications had improved with district staff but cautioned: "it…