Auburn schools report improving bus driver staffing; purchase‑services spending above expected level

At the Dec. 18 meeting of the Auburn School Committee, transportation staff reported that driver staffing is improving and that purchase‑services spending for transportation is higher than expected for this point in the year.

Superintendent Sue Dorris introduced the update and asked transportation staff to brief the committee. "At this time, we have 16 drivers on staff. 1 has been out for some family reasons. We have just hired another driver back who will be getting on January 6th," transportation staff member Ms. Couture told the committee. She said that when that driver and another returning employee start, the district will have 17 regular drivers.

The presentation divided payroll from purchase services. "For transportation, the salary and benefits is right on track with where we expect it to be this time of year," Ms. Couture said. She reported that the purchase‑services category — which the committee described as including supplies, contract services and miscellaneous expenses — "is at 58% remaining, and we would expect it to be around 64% remaining. So it's a little bit higher than we expect it to be." She added that the Northeast route accounted for about 3% of the purchase‑services charges recorded so far.

Scott Adeneer, the district's assistant superintendent, and Ms. Couture both described plans to add a substitute into the rotation on Jan. 6 to work alongside an experienced driver and to continue training for district routes. Ms. Couture said the substitute is experienced but will need time to learn local protocols and route familiarity.

Transportation staff also indicated one van‑aide slot is open and that van drivers number 11 with one slot open; one driver is being flexed to support homeless‑student transportation as needed. Ms. Couture said those staffing changes are "looking very promising," and that they should allow the district to cover routes when students return from winter break.

The committee did not take a formal vote on the transportation report. The committee was reminded that schools are closed for winter break the weeks of Dec. 23 and Dec. 30, and will reopen on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.

Clarifying details from the presentation: 16 drivers currently on staff, one driver out on leave, one newly hired driver scheduled to start Jan. 6, bringing the expected count to 17 regular drivers; purchase‑services category shows 58% remaining versus an expected ~64% at this point in the year; the Northeast route comprises ~3% of purchase‑services spending recorded so far.