Bus driver situation “critical” for Highland

by Chris Studor

July 17 school board meeting

The shortage of bus drivers remains critical in the Highland Local School District as well as across the nation, Highland Superintendent Catherine Aukerman announced July 17.

While the district was able to hire two new drivers this summer, two current drivers switched to the substitute driver list making it a “wash,” said Aukerman.

The impact of the driver shortage could result in some time changes and route changes in the future, Aukerman warned the community.

Board president Christopher Wolny agrees, noting that school officials recently discussed the issue with state officials who had some suggestions as to how to deal with the shortage.

“We are not making any immediate changes for the start of this school year,” said Wolny. “However, if the shortage continues, some of the recommendations from the state [include delaying] the start time of elementary schools to allow more route time and possibly combining elementary and middle school routes. It is something we will have to look at in the future.”

In other business:

• The board accepted Tom Raffin as a foreign exchange student from France and waived all associated education fees for the school year. Raffin is sponsored by International Student Exchange and will be staying with the Kim Showman family of Medina.
• The board accepted the donation of a basketball gun-shooting machine for the high school, donated by Todd and Natalie Winston
• The board hired an additional high school band teacher, Vincent Ciulla. ∞