Pennridge staffing report cites 64 new hires, seeks three additional bus "jumper" positions

Pennridge School District officials reported this evening that 64 new employees began work with the district over the summer and asked the board to approve three additional full‑time "jumper" bus positions to reduce overtime and contracted transportation costs.

HR presenter Tara Mossman told the personnel committee the district held three summer support‑staff job fairs and hired staff across categories, saying, "Throughout this summer, we had 64 new employees start their career in the Pen Ridge School District" and listing administrators, nutritional service workers, teachers, TAs and other hires. Mossman described recruitment successes at a first‑time countywide support‑staff fair and at a touch‑a‑truck event where applicants were interviewed on site.

District presenters described transportation as the primary staffing pressure. Mossman said 11 potential bus drivers are in the pipeline (some beginning CDL classes Sept. 13), six are completing behind‑the‑wheel training, and the district anticipates two retirements in December. She described 13 students still transported by the Bucks County Intermediate Unit (IU) — representing about 10 routes — and said when those routes return in‑house the district will need additional drivers.

To reduce reliance on overtime and outside contracts, staff requested budget approval for three additional jumper positions — temporary driver positions that guarantee six hours per day under the collective bargaining agreement. Mossman said each jumper position would cost the district about $47,000 (including medical benefits, PSERS and FICA), for a combined ask of roughly $140,372. She provided overtime and contract context: transportation driver overtime totaled $57,924 for 2024–25, total transportation overtime was about $163,000, and the district spent roughly $1 million on IU contracting in 2024–25. Mossman said estimated savings from three jumpers could be $40,755 if overtime is cut 25% or $81,510 if overtime is cut 50%, and noted the district saved an estimated $611,532 this year by bringing some IU routes back in‑house.

Board members asked how staff chose three additional jumpers. A board member said, "We picked 3, through our discussions with Jessica and based on the size of our staff and the ratio of how many jumpers to staff members," and staff explained the recommendation grew from a 70‑driver fleet and a previously recommended 7‑jumper ratio (the district currently has four jumper positions active). Staff cautioned that filling permanent driver vacancies and training CDLs is not an immediate fix: "Not a quick fix. Probably not a quick fix. It's part of the multi‑pronged solution," a staff member said.

The personnel committee did not record a formal vote during the discussion; staff presented the request for the board meeting agenda. The presentation materials attached cost estimates and overtime history for 2024–25, and staff advised that hiring outcomes depend on how many applicants complete CDL training.

The committee also discussed broader retention strategies; a public commenter urged the board to focus on mentoring, professional growth, recognition and culture to retain employees after successful recruitment.

Staff noted next steps: if the board approves the jumper positions, budget adjustments and posting/bidding processes would follow, and additional drivers would be recruited and trained to bring more routes in‑house over time.