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Long bus routes, driver shortages and CDL requirements worry board as school year starts
Summary
Transportation staff said the district will run six routes this year, is fully staffed for those routes but needs substitute drivers; board members flagged trips exceeding two hours and noted Minnesota rules require Class B/CDL for school bus routes, which takes about three months to obtain.
Transportation staff reported the district will operate the same six routes as last year and is fully staffed for those routes, but emphasized an immediate need for substitute drivers to cover additional trips. Staff asked for at least one substitute to start and possibly a second so multiple trips in a day can be covered without overburdening regular drivers.
Board members described very long route durations in parts of the district (one comment referenced route times over two hours) and expressed concern about student time on buses. Staff explained Minnesota rules require a Class B (school bus) license for designated school routes and that obtaining the required license can take roughly three months in an ideal scenario. Discussion noted that using suburbans or 13-passenger vans for regular designated routes is restricted by state rules; the district can evaluate staffing-tracking and recruitment options but said additional certified drivers are the core need.
Transportation staff said they will pursue recruiting and training (including offering training locally) and asked board members and community members to refer potential drivers. The board did not change routes at the working session but noted route length and driver availability as a continuing operational priority for the year.
