Transportation chief reports driver shortage, seven bus incidents this year

The Richmond Community Schools board received an update March 18 from the transportation team about ongoing driver shortages and recent bus incidents.

Lynn Field reported the district has lost 10 drivers since the start of the school year, hired three drivers and has two others in training. To maintain service, the department dissolved two routes and absorbed those runs into four existing routes, and implemented a contingency communication plan with schools and families through ParentSquare.

Field said the department recorded seven incidents this year, six involving damage to buses. She said incidents have been followed by personal outreach to parents and by retraining or refresher courses for drivers as circumstances warrant. Extracurricular events and seasonal illnesses have compounded scheduling pressures. “Any time any of those incidents have happened with students on the bus, we do personally call all the parents,” Field said.

Board members praised drivers, monitors and mechanics for their work and discussed recruitment challenges, including national driver shortages and vetting requirements (MVRs, background checks, drug screens). Trustees asked about outsourcing and vendor options; administrators said they vet any potential outsourcing thoroughly because of student safety concerns.

Field said strategic‑planning conversations are under way for long‑term transportation staffing and that the department continues active recruiting on social media and job sites.