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Independence Local board hears contingency plans as district faces bus driver shortage
Summary
District leaders told the Independence Local Board that three drivers recently left and the district now has seven full‑time drivers to cover nine routes. Officials plan to use private contractors for some out‑of‑district routes and adjust routes and pickup times to ensure students are transported, noting longer ride times are likely until hires are finalized.
The Independence Local School District told the board it is operating under a temporary shortage of bus drivers after three recent departures and outlined operational steps to begin the school year without service interruptions.
Superintendent reported the district currently has seven full‑time drivers and is covering nine routes by piecing runs together: "we can peice meal the eighth route together and with the private service we can get the ninth route done," the superintendent said. The district is interviewing prospective drivers, training two residents who have expressed interest, and has reached out to private transportation providers to cover some routes if necessary.
Officials warned riders may face longer pickup and drop‑off times while routes are consolidated. Superintendent described operational constraints: background checks for new hires, the logistics around afternoon runs, and contract notice periods with private vendors. The district noted some out‑of‑district routes (students attending other schools) are candidates for private transport, with the district possibly coordinating pick‑up at the high school if drivers are not immediately available.
Board members asked about costs, contract length and penalty provisions; the superintendent said final numbers would be presented in August once private provider quotes and any contract terms (60‑ or 90‑day notice provisions) are known. The district emphasized it has tried multiple recruitment channels and that word‑of‑mouth has been its most effective source of applicants.
District staff said the goal is to avoid frequent last‑minute route cancellations seen in other districts by securing reliable coverage and by adjusting routes as needed if hires arrive during the school year.
