Westerville board declares 105 students impractical to transport as district cites 14 driver vacancies

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education voted Aug. 10 to declare 105 students, representing 19 schools, impractical to transport for the 2026–27 school year and to offer payment in lieu of transportation.

Transportation staff told the board the decision followed state guidelines and a practicality evaluation. “Before you today is a list containing 105 students that have been deemed impractical to transport for the upcoming 2627 school year,” the transportation presenter said. He also noted the Ohio Department of Education sets the payment-in-lieu amount and that “for the 2627 school year will be $636.75 per eligible student.”

Board members and staff framed the decision as a function of geography, bell schedules and fleet capacity. The presenter said the district will start the year with 94 bus routes serving 37 locations, down from 96 routes last year, and that the district has “10,393 students assigned for transportation services” as of 5 p.m. the day of the meeting. Board members repeatedly raised driver staffing as a compounding factor.

Superintendent Hamburg warned of the current staffing strain: “As of today, we have 14 open driving positions,” she said, and administrators warned that the shortage contributes to “double backs” and route delays. Board discussion noted state-level policy proposals — including removing payment in lieu — could increase pressures on districts that already lack drivers and fleet capacity.

The board approved the resolution and will issue payments in lieu for eligible students per state calculations. The transportation staff said they will continue to assign students as registrations arrive and will update families when route times are finalized.