Woodbridge Schools Experiencing Teacher, Bus Driver Shortage

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — It isn't just a teacher shortage currently in Woodbridge public schools: There is also a school bus driver shortage, as well.

Yes, the problem that plagued New Jersey schools in September and October is back, as Woodbridge reported a severe bus driver shortage Monday morning, the first day back from winter break. The district warned parents school buses would be late.

"Today at 7:25 a.m., we sent out the following message: Due to a shortage of bus drivers, many of our buses will be late. Please be patient as we expect delays with pick-ups and drop-offs," said Woodbridge superintendent Joe Massimino.

Some parents reported waiting more than an hour for the bus, and one woman said the bus was three hours late, and did not come until nearly 11 a.m. to pick up her child (she could not drive the boy to school because her car was at the mechanic.)

On Monday, Jan. 3, there were 228 total COVID-positive cases among students, teachers and staff in Woodbridge schools, according to the district's COVID dashboard. The three Woodbridge high schools had the highest numbers of teacher positives:

• 32 COVID-positive teachers at Woodbridge High School
• 21 at JFK
• 23 at Colonia High School

Having so many teachers out with COVID means all three high schools have to be virtual until Wednesday, said Massimino. On top of that, New Jersey school districts have struggled all fall with finding enough substitute teachers.

Massimino said all other schools in the district are supposed to remain in person this first week back.

Massimino stressed that in-person learning is his first choice and something he will fight to keep for Woodbridge school students. Gov. Phil Murphy said something similar, vowing at his Monday news conference, his first back from his Costa Rica vacation: "We have no desire to return to remote learning ... in terms of learning, instruction and learning loss."

"I understand the anxiety and fear this new surge has brought," said Massimino in this Jan. 1 letter. "However ... for many of our students and families, having in-person school allows for those families to work and sustain their livelihoods. Furthermore, academically students who are in specialized programs cannot receive nearly the same level of attention in a remote setting."

"Many of our students were coming in last school year when there was no vaccine and we understood much less about COVID-19," he pointed out.

New Jersey reported 29,740 new cases on Jan. 1, the highest since the pandemic began. Also, these latest totals are very likely an undercount, because they don't include the results of home tests. New Jersey logged more people with COVID in the hospital on Monday than at any point in the past year, and the most since early May 2020. Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said Dec. 31 that 70 percent of the people hospitalized are unvaccinated, and 30 percent are vaccinated.

"The best way we can get a handle on this phase of the pandemic is through testing," Murphy said Monday. "When you get tested and know your COVID status, you can take the necessary steps and precautions to limit the further spread."

But high amounts of COVID positives are causing school districts to lose their staff, en masse.

"Is there a chance we will have to go remote? Unfortunately, yes," Massimino said. "We are prepared for individual classes, individual schools or our entire district to pivot to remote instruction should it be necessary. My administration has spoken with our building principals, the union representatives for both administrators and staff members, representatives from our local health department and town government, and our County Superintendent to discuss our protocols in the event there is a need to switch to remote instruction. We have been and will continue to monitor positive cases and the potential staffing shortage it may create."

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