Districts Scramble-Bus Driver Shortage Continues

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Saratoga Springs and Ballston Spa school districts are both plagued by bus driver shortages that may threaten to eliminate some bus routes.

At a Board of Education meeting last month, Saratoga Springs City School District Director of Transportation Jerry Keenan delivered an annual report that stressed the urgent need for new hires.

“We were scheduled to have 76 permanent drivers approved in our budget this year,” Keenan told the board. “Unfortunately, we’ve lost more drivers than we’ve hired since school has started.” Keenan said that the district will have twelve openings for permanent positions this month.

Keenan said that he and Assistant Director of Transportation Kim Ross both drive buses themselves to help make up for the lack of drivers. “We work very hard to ensure every day that we are getting our kids to school,” he said.

Ross said that the transportation department hired five new employees but all of them left their positions for various reasons. “We bring them in and they go out, but we do try,” she said.

The Ballston Spa Central School District also needs more transportation workers. “Unfortunately, the Ballston Spa Central School District continues to eliminate certain bus routes as we are confronted with a need for additional staff members,” the district said on its website. “Bus drivers, substitute bus drivers, and bus attendants are all needed to ensure the district can transport all students on the district’s bus routes each morning and afternoon.”

Bus driver shortages are not unique to the region. Data from the Economic Policy Institute indicates that from September 2019 to September 2023, there was a 15.1% decrease in the total number of K-12 bus drivers nationwide. Private school bus driver employment also declined by 21.5% over the same four-year period.

Those interested in an open transportation position at the Ballston Spa Central School District can call the department at 518-884-7140 or visit www.bscsd.org/Page/279. 

For information on openings at the Saratoga Springs City School District, visit saratogaschools.org/departments-services/employment/.