Transportation official: district short seven bus drivers; mechanics logged 100% pass on state inspections

Mister Yonker, speaking for the district's transportation department, told the North Ridgeville City Board of Education on Sept. 3 that the district is “currently 7 bus drivers short,” meaning seven routes were unfilled as the new school year began.

Yonker said the district's recent recruitment efforts produced “4 interviews this week,” and that successful hires will need training and certification before routes return to full coverage. He asked parents and the community for patience as the district manages daily delays.

Yonker also highlighted the maintenance team's inspection record: “Tim Kazmeric and our mechanic team had 84 bus inspections last year and had a 100% passage rate,” he said, calling it “a feather in the cap” for maintaining safe vehicles and keeping buses on the road. The presenter credited new transportation supervisor Joe Joe Schultz with coordinating drivers and keeping routes operating safely during the shortage.

The district did not provide a timetable for when all vacant routes would be filled; the presenter said the situation may continue to cause delays “day to day” until enough drivers are hired and certified. Yonker said the Ohio State Patrol report and the district's inspection results were evidence that, despite staffing shortages, maintenance standards have been upheld.

The board did not take action at the meeting on routing or recruitment measures; trustees thanked transportation and maintenance staff for their work and patience as the district addresses staffing gaps.