Concerns over bus driver shortages and long student commutes dominated the Taos Municipal Schools Finance Committee meeting on March 8, 2025. Committee members acknowledged the ongoing challenges in securing enough drivers, which has led to longer bus rides for students, particularly those in rural areas.

"We might need to relook at the routes," one member stated, emphasizing that some students may have to endure longer rides as a reality of living in the region. The committee is exploring ways to improve route efficiency and address the split routes that complicate timely student pickups.

Financial strains were also a key topic, with projections indicating a $400,000 shortfall in funding from the state. Discussions included potential solutions such as increasing driver pay to attract more applicants and innovative ideas like serving breakfast on buses to help students who lack time to eat before school.

"Providing meals to students on the bus could help us address our nutrition deficit," one member noted, highlighting the dual benefit of feeding students while also maximizing bus time. However, concerns about cleanliness and messiness were raised, suggesting that any implementation would require careful consideration.

The committee also discussed engaging high school students as potential future bus drivers, with plans for job fairs to introduce them to career opportunities in transportation.

As the meeting concluded, members expressed a need for creative solutions to the ongoing challenges, reinforcing the urgency of addressing both staffing and funding issues to ensure the smooth operation of school transportation services.