Hartland Schools to work with consultant on bus driver shortage

HARTLAND TWP. — Hartland Consolidated Schools plans to work with a consulting firm to address its transportation issue.

HCS Superintendent Chuck Hughes provided a transportation update to the district’s Board of Education during its Jan. 13 meeting. The district has dealt with a shortage of bus drivers this year that led them to cut routes from 40 to 36.

HCS implemented a seven-week pause plan last October for alternating bus routes due to the bus driver shortage.

The district is trying to attract drivers with a $2,000 signing bonus and increased wages, as well as insurance coverage and vacation time. HCS will even accept drivers who can only work one day per week, or partial days.

Hartland Community Schools is in desperate need of bus drivers. This district has full-time route driver positions open, and part-time substitute positions, which can fit into many schedules. Positions are open for drives five days a week or less. Candidates only available mornings or afternoons are also welcome to apply.

In December, Hughes wrote to the HCS community that the transportation department “has made notable progress,” including successfully hiring some drivers. He added some current drivers were “on personal leave, with plans to reintegrate them in the future.”

Hughes sent the board a proposal from a consulting group led by Tim Ammon. He noted the firm has done a lot of work with school districts in Michigan. The firm previously worked with the Livingston County Transportation Consortium roughly 15 years ago.

“We’ve heard loud and clear that transportation continues to be an issue, not only in Hartland but around the county as well as around the country,” Hughes said during Monday’s meeting.

The cost for the assessment is roughly $33,600, and it will take about three months to complete after the contract is signed.

“This will help the district from our side of the coin being that we had this expert look at all facets so when things aren’t going so well, here might be the reason why and here are some of the solutions and strategies we’re trying,” Hughes said.

The firm will work with HCS to assess if bus driver wages are appropriate, the culture of the transportation department and routing. The firm will also work with HCS parents to decide on a plan if the district is short of drivers.

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Hughes spoke with the district’s lead bus drivers, who believe “the culture is fantastic,” he said.

“That was a nice thing we heard when we sat down with them last week to talk about the work that’s going to be done,” Hughes said.

Board President Meghan Glabach said it would be beneficial for the company to speak with parents face-to-face to address some of the issues. Trustee Jeff Scott thanked HCS administration for their work addressing the issue.

“I think it’s an excellent step for transportation,” Scott said.

— Contact reporter Evan Sasiela at esasiela@livingstondaily.com. Follow him on X @SalsaEvan.

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Hartland Schools to work with consultant on bus driver shortage

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