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RSU 52 reports driver shortages and $47,000 in outside plowing costs
Summary
District transportation staff told the board they are down drivers and have spent just over $47,000 on outside plowing this winter; administrators warned staff shortages and overtime complicate internal cost comparisons and may affect routing and safety.
Kyle reported to the board that the district has 23 bus drivers (down six) and 12 van drivers and that administrators estimate they could use five or more additional drivers. He said the district has placed job ads and had limited contractor availability.
Kyle and other administrators described reliance on outside plowing contractors this winter. "Just over $47,000 so far this year," an administrator said when asked for the current outside-plowing bill; more invoices may be outstanding. Administrators added they could not easily separate overtime and payroll costs for in-house crews from contractor invoices but will try to run reports that clarify total overtime and actual comparative costs.
Board members asked whether the contractor work produced net savings or simply filled gaps caused by unfilled custodial and maintenance positions. Administration said contractors were engaged when staff shortages made work impractical for the in-house crew and that the decision this year was not primarily a cost-saving measure but a response to a staffing shortfall.
Administrators also flagged facility needs, including missing intercom systems at some schools, potential PFAS drinking-water testing and the impending need to replace aging UPS/TES equipment (administrators estimated TES replacement at about $25,000), and said they may ask the board about using reserves for equipment replacement at a future meeting.
