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JCPS outlines transportation preparations for 2025–26: driver hiring, Spanish CDL written tests and route scrimmages
Summary
Operations staff told the board July 29 that JCPS continues to recruit drivers, will benefit from state authorization to offer the commercial driver written test in Spanish, and is conducting route scrimmages and other build‑out steps ahead of the first day of school.
Jefferson County Public Schools operations staff gave the board a multi‑point update July 29 on transportation readiness for the 2025–26 school year, citing progress on driver recruitment, process improvements in routing, customer support metrics and operational scrimmages.
Transportation leadership reported 637 bus drivers on the roster, roughly 42 candidates currently in training, and ongoing recruitment. Staff said the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Kentucky State Police authorized the commercial driver license (CDL) written exam to be offered in Spanish; the district and its partners expect that change to expand the applicant pool. Operations staff emphasized that while the written exam may be offered in Spanish, the on‑road CDL skills test remains in English under federal rules.
Staff described improvements completed in routing over the last two years: a centralized routing team, a pause period with a 48‑hour driver adjustment window, and voluntary paid route testing days that about 51 percent of drivers used this cycle. The department is running three full route scrimmages before the first day of school and said principal and compound support materials (a "principal manual" for first‑day procedures) are in place.
Operations also reported on 485Ride, the parent/inquiry call center: 1,074 calls had been handled with an 83 percent same‑day resolution rate; 645 tickets had been submitted and resolved; and roughly 102 employees staff the operation. Staff said Edulog remains active this year while the district transitions to a new routing platform planned for full implementation in the 2026–27 school year.
Board members asked about heat accommodations, facilities and paving timelines, and the timeline to add Spanish‑language CDL test takers into service. Operations said water will be available as needed on bus runs and that most facility projects are on track though some turf fields and paving work may run past opening day due to summer rains.
No formal action was taken; the board voted to receive the operations report.
