Kyrene board hears transportation staffing strains, approves purchase of 10 non‑CDL passenger buses

Summary

District officials described sustained declines in driver staffing and route-mileage funding limits, outlined short‑ and longer‑term strategies including non‑CDL 15‑passenger vehicles and an opt‑in routing pilot, and the board approved purchasing 10 smaller buses under a cooperative contract, 5–0.

Kyrene Elementary District officials told the governing board on Oct. 14 that a long‑running shortage of school bus drivers, changing bell‑schedule tiers and traffic disruptions on routes to Maricopa are forcing adjustments to routing and fleet strategy, and the board approved buying 10 smaller non‑CDL passenger buses to ease staffing pressure.

The presentation from Chief Financial Officer Chris Sherman and Transportation Director Michelle Parmley outlined three facts central to the situation: the district has reduced driver positions over the last decade as miles driven fell, state transportation funding is calculated by miles driven ("for the current 25‑26, that's $3.01 per mile," Sherman said), and traffic and construction on State Route 347 and other corridors are lengthening some out‑of‑district trips to as long as 1 hour 45 minutes.

The transportation director gave the most detailed account of operational strain. "We have 56 positions. We have 45 filled," Michelle Parmley said, adding that the district employs 34 CDL drivers directly and 11 contract drivers from third‑party agencies. Parmley said current strategies…

Kyrene board hears transportation staffing strains, approves purchase of 10 non‑CDL passenger buses

Summary

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