September 30, 2022
Dear RSU 67 staff and families,
The purpose of this communication is to share some important information with you that may impact staff, students, and families over the next few weeks.
Over the course of the past two years, there has been an alarming decline in the number of bus drivers all across the nation, and while RSU 67 has been able to provide transportation services with few disruptions, we are also experiencing a severe shortage of drivers. At the start of the pandemic, the district had approximately 12 regular and several substitute drivers. The number of regular drivers was reduced to 7 last year and with a recent departure, we are down to just 6 regular drivers and 2 or 3 substitutes.
In meeting with the drivers this morning, I can assure you that we are all committed to doing everything we can to avoid disruptions in the services we provide. We are currently working on consolidating our 7 daily runs to 6, which we will begin on Monday morning. For most students and families, this will not impact your pick-up or drop-off time. Unfortunately, we will not be able to provide a late bus for at least next week, and maybe longer. If your family is impacted by a change in pick-up or drop-off time, the district will contact you as soon as possible. The administration and drivers all ask for your understanding as we make this change.
The district is committed to finding a solution for our driver shortage that we hope will improve our situation in the future. We are currently utilizing private bus services when available. We have a driver who is waiting for a test date for his license. We are actively recruiting new drivers. We will provide paid, in-house training ($17.65 per hour) to any person who wishes to become a licensed bus driver for the district. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a bus driver for the district, I encourage you to contact Rose Clark at (207) 794-6500 or via email at rclark@rsu67.org for more information.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding during this difficult time, and I assure you we will work hard to resolve these issues as quickly as possible. Have a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,
Paul Austin Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools