Newton Schools Experiencing Bus Driver, Food Service Shortages

NEWTON, MA — Newton Public Schools is one of many districts across the Commonwealth currently experiencing bus driver and food service employee shortages as the 2021-22 school year ramps up, said Superintendent David Fleishman at Monday night's School Committee meeting.

Although Fleishman began the meeting noting that the first seven days of classes have been "a really positive start," he also recognized that the district is not immune to challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as difficulties that naturally arise at the start of every school year.

"It takes tremendous work to just keep schools open given everything that we're doing," he said.

In terms of transportation, Fleishman said the school is continuing with an "assigned seat" model for all students who ride the bus. This requires families to register via an online registration process and will theoretically make contact tracing much easier for administrators.

However, because there are fewer bus drivers than needed and an overflow of students who need a ride to school and extracurricular activities, this model has run into some difficulties.

"Transportation is always challenging at day seven of the school year," said Fleishman. "This year is particularly unique due to the driver situation."

"Certainly we are getting students to and from our school," said Chief Financial and Administrative Officer Liam Hurley. "What's happened is we are down about five or six drivers and what that's impacting is really the athletics."

Hurley said Eastern.... , the district's bus company, is doing everything it can to recruit and hire new drivers as quickly as possible.

"They are looking, they have a few recruits in the pipeline, but these things take some time." he said.

The district is experiencing a similar issue in food service, down approximately five staff members in that area as well due to shortages at Whitsons Culinary Group.

While some parents have been complaining about the quality and quantity of school meals, Hurley said the current "brown bag" and staggered serving model is to make sure everyone stays safe at this point in time. As COVID-19 concerns decrease, the district will begin cooking more meals at each school.

"It has started out a little rocky, but I'm confident things will get better," he said.