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Student reps, superintendent and committee press bus company on driver shortages and tracking options
Summary
Student representatives reported daily double‑route busing that lengthened rides; the superintendent and transportation director said the contracted company faces a driver shortage, is offering a $10,000 signing bonus and will be asked to present tracking and contract performance options to the committee in December.
Student representatives and the School Committee discussed persistent school bus routing problems during the Oct. 23 meeting and asked the transportation director and superintendent for immediate remedies and a fuller briefing to the committee.
Student representative Ali (North Andover High School) said afternoon routes routinely run double routes when substitute drivers are used; students reported rides delayed by about an hour in some cases. Committee members pressed for details about frequency and specific routes; the student rep said certain route numbers — e.g., bus 8 and 12 — were frequently affected.
Superintendent Pam Lathrop acknowledged the impact on families and said district transportation director Lucy McCarthy (to appear at a later meeting) has been working daily with the contracted bus company to reassign riders and provide extra on‑bus supervision when substitutes drive. Lathrop said the vendor currently offers a $10,000 signing bonus to attract drivers and must complete required commercial licensing and road testing for new hires.
Committee members and a public commenter suggested the district seek contract remedies and real‑time tracking for families. The superintendent said the transportation director will be asked to present options — including tracking apps that allow parents to see a bus location — and to outline costs, contract performance remedies, and whether the company can commit to service thresholds. That presentation is scheduled for the committee’s Dec. 18 meeting.
Committee discussion also mentioned the district’s internal GPS tools and possible costs to provide public‑facing tracking. Members asked whether contract language should include performance penalties or rebate provisions when the vendor fails to meet route standards; the superintendent said staff will review the contract and investigate remedies.
No formal vote was taken on the transportation matter; the committee recorded the direction to transportation staff to prepare a December presentation and to continue daily coordination with the contractor.
