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Board hears concerns about nurse coverage and canceled bus runs; district says substitute nurse hired pending certification
Summary
Public commenters warned of EMT shortages and slow emergency response; the superintendent told the board a substitute nurse has been hired pending certification and transportation staff reported two driver applicants to reduce canceled routes.
Parents, volunteers and board members raised concerns about school nurse coverage and canceled bus runs at the Preston County Board of Education meeting on Oct. 27, 2025.
Aaron Miller, who identified himself as a volunteer deputy fire/EMS official, told the board the county is experiencing a shortage of EMTs and medics that could slow emergency response times this winter and urged the district to secure nurse coverage so students in need would not have to rely on 911. "There's going to be a time...that you're not going to get a fire truck out of your first district," Miller said, warning the board that slower EMS responses were "coming."
Superintendent Mr. Martin responded to staffing concerns in public comments and his superintendent’s update, saying the district has hired a substitute nurse who has submitted paperwork and is awaiting certification. "She has been hired pending certification," Martin said, adding the district is prepared to schedule the nurse when certification is confirmed and is tracking additional people who have expressed interest.
Transportation staff briefed the board on repeated canceled bus runs in the Brew area and said two applicants from that region appear able to split morning and afternoon coverage, which may reduce cancellations. The administration said it will continue to recruit, train drivers on alternate routes and track student pickup metrics to evaluate the approach.
The board did not take further formal action on these issues at the meeting; administration noted corrective-action work on transportation will continue, including a required corrective action plan submission by Nov. 7 for transportation concerns already under review.
The discussion combined public comment, an administrative staffing update and transportation operational planning; the superintendent asked the board to consider continued recruitment and training and to monitor results as new hires begin service.
