NJ District Alters School Schedule Over Bus Driver Shortage

GLASSBORO, NJ — The national bus drive shortage is having an impact on one South Jersey school district, which is adjusting its schedule after issues arose during the first week of school.

The Glassboro Public School District is altering its dismissal times at two schools by 45 minutes after transportation issues officials described as “unacceptable.”

“Unfortunately, the startup to the school year was not what we had hoped for in terms of the timeliness of busing pick-ups, dismissals, and the Transportation Office’s communication with parents regarding delays,” Glassboro Public Schools Superintendent Mark J. Silverstein said in a letter to the community. “Our district is understaffed by eight drivers. Some resignations took place right before the start of the school year. Similar shortages are taking place throughout New Jersey.”

The district is involved in a shared services agreement with the Delsea Public School District to provide Transportation Supervisory Services.

“Glassboro School District prides itself on transparency and communication, Silverstein said. “I have met with Delsea officials, and they are committed to resolving this. Our drivers are to be commended for doing the best they could under very trying circumstances.”

He said that beginning Monday, the district was altering dismissal times at Glassboro High School and Glassboro Intermediate School to tackle transportation delays and ensure that the older students are released prior to their younger siblings.

Glassboro Intermediate School will be dismissed at 1:27 p.m., and Glassboro High School will be dismissed at 1:40 p.m. This is 45 minutes earlier than usual. No other schools will be disrupted.

The Board of Education will hold a special meeting to discuss the issue at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 20. Residents can participate in person at Glassboro High School or virtually. Participation information will be posted under the Welcome GPSD Families on the school district’s website.

Glassboro isn't the only district changing its schedule. In July, the Toms River Public School District announced it would have to change start times for five of its schools for the fall due to the shortage. Read more here: Bus Driver Shortage Forces New Start Times For Toms River Schools

Nationwide, there are school districts wrestling with the problem of staffing school bus routes. An EdWeek report said districts in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Colorado and Missouri, just to name a few, were reducing the number of bus routes, changing school start times and that there still were students without transportation.

The issue in many places is a combination of low wages and health concerns as a result of the pandemic, the EdWeek report said.

The New Jersey School Bus Contractors Association told 6 ABC that about 20 percent of bus drivers didn’t return after layoffs associated with the coronavirus pandemic.

School districts have been competing with trucking companies and mass transit agencies over drivers who have commercial licenses, nj.com reports.

“We encourage any individual, parent, or part-time staff member who is interested in driving for the district to apply for one of our positions after exploring obtaining a Class C CDL and the proper endorsements,” Silverstein said.

For more information on becoming a bus driver, click here. Locally, residents can contact Assistant Transportation Supervisor Diane Veight, dveight@gpsd.us. School Bus Driver postings and other job postings can be accessed from the Employment Section of the school district’s website.

With reporting by Karen Wall, Patch Staff