The high volume of daily student transports at the Carroll Community School District (CCSD) is stretching drivers to the limit, according to Transportation Director, Jeff Cullen. Cullen addressed the school board during their September meeting, and he says they are one or two bus routes away from being unable to continue with their current transportation model.
Some students on the rural routes are picked up as early as 7 a.m., which is the earliest time Iowa law allows. With so many routes and so few bus drivers, all it takes it is for one person to get sick to throw a wrench into the entire operation. Cullen says the situation is becoming unsustainable.
Cullen says he has already started investigating alternate student transportation models. One idea he is considering is to have buses run circular routes between the major attendance centers in Carroll.
He says the Carroll Middle School would be a problem under that system, as it is located somewhat out of the way compared to the other buildings. Fortunately, he does not anticipate Carroll High being much of an issue with so many students there driving themselves or riding to school with classmates. The bus driver shortage is not a uniquely Carroll, or even Iowa, problem. According to Cullen, the Massachusetts National Guard has been tapped to transport students in their state, and other areas have started lessening the requirements to operate school buses. The board did not take any formal action following Cullen’s report and directed him to continue exploring potential solutions to the transportation issue.
