Bus needs appear set for Westmoreland County school districts — for now

Unlike Pittsburgh Public Schools pumping the brakes on the beginning of the academic year because of a lack of bus drivers, districts across Westmoreland County are full throttle on the transportation front.

The Franklin Regional School Board is slated to approve 92 bus drivers from AJ Myers & Sons at its meeting Monday, according to district spokeswoman Tina Gillen.

The district and bus company believe that will be enough drivers to transport students; however, AJ Myers “is actively recruiting additional drivers and is always interested in adding to its driver pool,” Gillen said.

Both groups have been working over the summer to develop new routes for the district’s elementary campus off Sardis Road. AJ Myers will continue enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols to address covid-19 concerns.

Gillen said the district has not been made aware of any issues related to bus service.

Greensburg Salem is entering the final year of its contract with DMJ Transportation, the same company that serves Greater Latrobe.

The school board last week approved a list of bus drivers submitted by DMJ and, at this point, doesn’t anticipate any problems with driver shortages, according to acting superintendent Ken Bissell.

Business manager J.R. Dzurica noted some other districts have experienced driver shortages. He said an overall shortage of drivers with a commercial driver’s license may be a factor.

Pittsburgh Public Schools last week announced it will not return to school until Sept. 8 to iron out transportation issues. Classes were to have started Aug. 25.

Though Superintendent Anthony Hamlet said high temperatures in August also were a concern, the real issue appears to be getting students to and from school.

The district needs more time to address busing issues that include a shortage of more than 400 bus drivers and 11,000 fewer seats on buses needed for students, according to Megan Patton, the district transportation director. The district faced a similar issue when it returned to in-person education in May.

Greater Latrobe officials also report that DMJ has confirmed the district will have enough drivers for scheduled routes.

Still, there will be some changes, said Chad Krehlik, principal of Mountain View Elementary and who also serves as the district’s transportation liaison.

Like with all districts nationwide, students riding school buses will have to wear face masks or coverings regardless of vaccination status, as required by federal order.

Jeannette City School District, likewise, does not anticipate any trouble getting students to school.

“We contract with First Student for our student transportation services,” Superintendent Matt Jones said. “The company has assured me that there will be no issues with our routes, and they are fully staffed to make those bus runs beginning on the first day of school.”

First Student Inc. also provides busing for the Norwin School District — which has been ensured it will have a full complement of 104 drivers, said James Varner, the First Student Norwin terminal manager in North Huntingdon.

To retain the drivers it had during the pandemic last year, Varner said First Student hosted “retention parties” — such as picnics — over the summer. The drivers have returned to continue driving this school year, Varner said.

The company hired three new drivers for Norwin’s busing, Varner said. As an incentive, First Student offers a $1,500 signing bonus for new drivers with a commercial driver’s license and a similar bonus to employees who refer a candidate who is hired as a driver.

If the school district were to add more routes, that could require hiring additional drivers, Varner said.

Hempfield Area School District uses First Student to provide transportation with full school buses and DMJ to operate mini-buses.

“Both have indicated that they are staffed for the 2021-22 school year,” Superintendent Tammy Wolicki said. “However, there are challenges in finding sufficient substitute drivers and drivers for activity runs after school hours.”