Caddo Parish details staffing, routing and communication push for 2025–26 school-year bus service

Jeff Roberts, director of transportation for Caddo Parish Public Schools, told the Transportation Committee on July 1 that the district is pursuing new drivers, updated routing software and expanded parent communications to improve reliability for the 2025–26 school year.

Roberts said the department faces two recurring problems — staffing shortages and equipment failures — and described a plan focused on recruitment, culture and communications to address them. "I feel very optimistic that '25, '26 is going to be our best year yet in transportation," Roberts said.

The risk: summer heat can worsen bus air-conditioning failures

Roberts opened by warning that air-conditioning on school buses is a recurring equipment problem heading into August. He noted many bus AC systems are aftermarket vendor-installed units and that reliability varies by bus model. The district has 12 new buses at Plyler with newer AC systems, he said, and staff are working through the summer to reduce failures.

Why the staffing push matters

Roberts said recruitment is the top priority and highlighted a June 2 transportation-only job fair that drew more than 100 applicants. From that pool, the department ran a June training class that started June 13 with 28 candidates; of those, Roberts said 12 have learner permits and two already hold commercial driver’s licenses. The department plans a second summer class beginning July 17 with another 28–30 candidates.

Roberts provided several staffing figures: the district plans 250 bus routes at the start of the school year; it finished…