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Wake County details bus driver recruitment, staffing goals and summer openings for four new schools
Summary
District staff reported ongoing recruitment and a target of 630 regular bus drivers by August to maintain current service levels; staff also gave timelines for four new schools opening this summer, including expected certificates of occupancy and staff move‑in dates.
Wake County Schools staff told the board on June 18 that the district is actively recruiting bus drivers and expects to report in August on retention measures the board previously approved, while also briefing the board on staffing and move‑in timelines for four new schools opening this summer.
On transportation, district staff said about 20 candidates currently are in various stages of training and permit acquisition and that, overall, the district employed 612 bus drivers “as of today.” Staff reiterated a previously stated goal of reaching 630 drivers by the start of school in August to maintain current service levels. Staff identified Aliyah Flowers as a district staff member dedicated to recruitment and training work.
On facility openings, staff outlined four schools scheduled to open in summer 2025 and provided anticipated dates for temporary certificates/occupancy (TCO/TCA), staff move‑in and first instructional days:
- Garland Road (traditional calendar): TCA/TCO expected in late June/early July; staff scheduled to move in mid‑to‑late July; furniture and equipment installation scheduled for early July; school starts August 25. - Fountain Grove High School (traditional calendar): TCO anticipated in early July; staff move‑in expected in July; furniture and equipment mid‑July; school starts August 25. - Pleasant Plains Elementary (year‑round): Staff reported they already have a TCO; furniture was being moved in and staff planned to move in June 20; the school starts July 7. - A second year‑round school (name presented as Pleasant Plains again in the transcript sequence for an additional campus): staff said TCO in hand, furniture moving in and staff moving the following week for a July 7 start.
Staff said punchlist and warranty work will continue after opening and that some site work will be completed off‑site or after students begin instruction. Board members asked the district to provide an August update on whether retention measures the board approved for drivers are taking effect; staff agreed to do so.
Ending: Transportation recruitment and the new‑school sequences remain active district priorities; staff will return with driver retention metrics in August and will continue warranty and punchlist work as new schools open.
