During a recent government meeting, officials provided a comprehensive update on the transportation situation within the school district, highlighting both challenges and progress. Currently, approximately 7,297 students are routed on buses, although this figure does not reflect actual ridership. Since the school year began, the transportation department has successfully removed 290 students from bus routes, with only eight students currently awaiting transportation.

The district is facing a shortage of bus drivers, with the number decreasing from 96 at the start of the year to 94. There is a pressing need for a total of 124 drivers to adequately meet the district's transportation demands. Currently, 24 buses are without drivers, and only three substitute drivers are available. To address this, training sessions for new drivers are scheduled, with the first behind-the-wheel training set for October 15-18.

In an effort to improve service, the district has introduced new buses, with nine expected to be operational this week. However, the rollout was delayed due to inclement weather. The transportation team is also working on a new app designed to enhance communication and tracking of bus routes, which has already reached over 1,000 students.

Despite these efforts, the district continues to struggle with lost instructional time due to delays, particularly affecting middle school routes. Some buses are reported to be running 30 to 40 minutes late daily. Officials are implementing strategies to improve accuracy in student counts on buses, which is crucial for state funding. The district is committed to ensuring that every student who needs transportation is accounted for and that the system operates more efficiently moving forward.