Justin Murphy – Rochester Democrat and Chronicle USA TODAY NETWORK – in the D&C on 9/3/21 page A3
Swamped by school bus driver resignations, the Rochester City School District is asking for parents to volunteer to opt out of transportation to start the school year.
The district is missing scores of bus drivers, with more resignations coming in every day, spokeswoman Marisol Ramos- Lopez said. That includes district employees as well as drivers with First Student, Ontario Bus Inc. and RTS.
Parents received an automated phone call Thursday morning asking them to contact the district if they are able to bring their own children to school.
RCSD is far from alone in its dilemma. Districts across the country are reporting dire driver shortages; a recent survey of transportation directors showed that more than half considered the shortage in their district “severe” or “desperate.”