Gaston County Schools urgently seeking bus drivers amid route disruptions

GASTONIA, N.C. (WBTV) - Families in Gaston County are expressing frustration over an escalating shortage of school bus drivers that have forced route cancellations and left families scrambling to get their children to class.

There are more than 30 open driver positions district-wide, creating what Gaston County Schools officials describe as a “critical” need.

At Hunter Huss High School alone, two bus routes were abruptly canceled the rest of this week, according to the school. A different bus route was cancelled Monday.

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The district cited three bus driver resignations this past week, as the reason for the disruptions.

School officials notified parents of the affected bus routes, that it was up to them to arrange transportation for their students until the bus routes resume.

For local business owner Kimberly Nichols, the sudden lack of transportation hit home when her son’s elementary school notified her that his route didn’t have a driver.

Nichols, who owns a hair salon, considers herself lucky to have a flexible schedule—but knows many other families do not have that option.

“Had I not been available, or been a single parent, or been at school, then my son wouldn’t be at school,” Nichols said. “So how can you get your child to school if there is no public transportation, no school bus, and no other option? You just leave them at home.”

To bridge the gap, remaining drivers have taken on double routes in some instances. Staff at Hunter Huss are also helping drive school buses, the district said.

“We should always look out for the children first,” Nichols said. “So if the kids can’t get to school, we should prioritize that. Figure out a way to make it happen. The most important thing is to start with the kids, because the kids are the future. And if we drop the ball on them, the ball is going to be dropped on our future as well.”

Gaston County Schools officials said they are actively working to recruit drivers and stabilize routes, noting that districts across North Carolina are grappling with similar staffing shortages.

“We are actively recruiting, training, and pursuing every opportunity possible to improve our transportation situation with the resources that are available to us,” Gaston County Schools said in a statement.

School leaders are asking families and community members to spread the word about open positions. Anyone holding a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with passenger and school bus endorsements can begin driving for the district almost immediately.