Drivers warn board of bus‑driver shortage as parents report canceled routes
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Summary
A bus driver and parents told the board that Chandler Unified is losing drivers, that routes are being canceled or reduced, and asked the district to increase pay and take other measures to retain and recruit drivers.
A school bus driver and parents told the Chandler Unified School District governing board on Jan. 15 that the district’s transportation workforce is strained and that route cancellations and delays are affecting families.
Gary Banjak, who identified himself as a district bus driver, said the district has fallen from roughly 250 drivers eight years ago to fewer than 180 now. “We must give our human resource department the tools they need to hire drivers,” Banjak said. He urged the district to match or exceed neighboring districts’ pay plans and to develop a driver retention initiative with clear, achievable goals that the board can review.
Parent speakers thanked transportation staff for their work but described late buses and occasional route cancellations. Lisa Calderon, a parent whose child rides route 234, told the board her family experienced a 30‑minute delay that day but said she appreciates drivers’ efforts and asked the district to prioritize staffing and reliability so working families are not left without childcare options.
District staff later presented a procurement item: the board approved using a cooperative contract (SAFE contract 24‑008) to pay for student contract transportation to support specialized placements and McKinney‑Vento (homeless‑student) transportation. The contract awards include private providers used when in‑district resources or specialized bus services are not available. The board approved the action unanimously.
Board members and staff discussed recruitment and regional competition for drivers (CDL requirements), and noted that the transportation department competes with other employers for or against private carriers that also need commercial drivers. Several board members said they want Human Resources and Transportation to bring options for retention‑oriented compensation and operational changes to a future planning session.
Ending: The board approved the contract and asked staff to return with a recruitment and retention plan for transportation personnel.
