West Geauga adds temporary bus drivers, amends transportation contracts amid staffing shortfall
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Summary
Board approved contract amendments with Community Bus Services and a student‑specific contract with Buckeye Logistics to cover driver shortages and a special student need; district said the changes are temporary while it trains new drivers.
The West Geauga Local School District on Monday approved two transportation contract amendments to address a shortage of district bus drivers.
Trustees approved a first amendment to the district’s supplemental student transportation services agreement with Community Bus Services Inc., authorizing the contractor to provide up to four drivers as a temporary measure while the district recruits and trains additional in‑house drivers. District staff said the amendment expands an earlier agreement (which covered fewer drivers) and is intended as a stopgap until new district drivers complete required training. At the meeting staff reported four currently contracted CBS drivers are in service.
The board also approved Resolution 37a, a separate transportation contract with Buckeye Logistics and Transit to provide services tied to an individual student’s increased needs. Staff described the Buckeye Logistics arrangement as relating to a particular student and increased support requirements.
District officials emphasized both steps are temporary. A transportation staff member said the district expects several internal candidates to complete training in the coming weeks and months; staff estimated three to four district hires are near completion of required qualifications, with one expected to finish in February.
Why it matters: the contracts allow the district to maintain routes and student transportation while recruiting and training permanent staff. Trustees said they do not desire long‑term outsourcing of transportation services but must ensure student services and safety while staffing is short.
Board action: The board moved, seconded and approved the Community Bus Services amendment (Resolution 34) and the Buckeye Logistics student transportation contract (Resolution 37a) by roll call.