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Moore County Schools reports route efficiency gains, driver shortfall and new safety tech ahead of school opening
Summary
District staff told the board they reduced duplicate stops, increased centralized group stops and added safety equipment ahead of the 2025–26 school year but remain short of drivers; the district doubled stop‑arm cameras and plans lane‑departure and collision‑avoidance tech and improved communications with parents.
Moore County Schools presented an update Aug. 11 on transportation readiness for the 2025–26 school year, reporting routing efficiency improvements and ongoing driver shortages but saying all routes will operate at the start of school.
Director Jason Nelson and staff told the board that at the same point last year 5,580 students were signed up for bus service; this year about 5,788 students are registered — roughly 200 more riders. The district said it ran 74 routes and had 68 drivers at the start of the year, compared with 70 drivers the previous year and 74 routes. To cover the shortfall, staff used routing software and supervisor route reviews to combine stops and eliminate duplicate pickups where safe and practical.
"By concentrating students at these centralized spots, they're reducing the road hazards and increasing visibility," staff said, and they urged parents to use the district's real‑time bus app that shows bus location and sends delay notices. Staff emphasized that combining stops shortens ride times and helps buses reach capacity.
District leaders also described safety upgrades: the district doubled the number of stop‑arm cameras and plans to add driving‑safety technology in bus tablets to record lane departures and provide collision‑avoidance warnings. Transportation supervisors conducted route trials over the summer and offered extra pay for drivers who tested routes.
Staff acknowledged that rural routes will continue to have longer ride times and that the district will maintain door‑to‑door service in some rural areas. They asked for parent cooperation with group stops in denser neighborhoods to keep route times reasonable.
Board members requested regular updates and suggested the district coordinate with local law enforcement for the start of school to enforce school‑zone speed limits and stop‑arm violations. Staff said they are coordinating with Moore County Emergency Management Services on signage and with the communications office for public notices; they said Pine Crest bus entrance work was near completion but asphalt might not be in place before the first day because of recent rains.
