Franklin Regional starts school year short two bus drivers; facilities repairs approved

District transportation staff told the Franklin Regional Board on Aug. 18 that the district is starting the year two drivers short because of medical leaves and recent departures, but that two candidates are in the pipeline to obtain commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). The board approved the quarterly roster of bus and van drivers and the current bus stop assignments as part of the consent agenda.

Missus Gao, who presented the transportation items, said the district has two drivers out on medical leave and has recruited potential drivers, including a member of a local family pursuing a CDL. Gao also described a recent communication push highlighting bus driving as a position with paid training and flexible summer schedules to attract applicants.

Facilities and maintenance items approved included replacement of a popped stadium hot‑water tank on the visitor side after pressure spikes tied to a middle‑school main were repaired; the district will install the new unit using in‑house staff. Maintenance staff also described replacing an obsolete uni‑vent coil in the high‑school counseling center with a ductless split system because replacement parts were no longer available and fabricating a part would have been cost‑prohibitive.

Why it matters: Driver shortages can affect route stability and start‑of‑year transportation; the board’s approvals permit facilities repairs needed for operations and staff comfort.

Administration said staff will continue recruitment efforts for CDL candidates and will rely on in‑house maintenance capacity for immediate repairs; no service suspensions or route cancellations were announced at the meeting.