October 14, 2025

Shortage of School Bus Drivers Disrupts Education in Ohio and Michigan

News Summary

Northwest Ohio and Michigan face a serious shortage of school bus drivers, leading to major disruptions in transportation services for over 600 school districts. Superintendents cite inadequate funding and tough work schedules as key issues contributing to the crisis. In response, districts are organizing recruitment events, but ongoing legal battles over transportation penalties add to the challenges. Schools are forced to cut services, change routes, and inform families of potential delays, all while struggling to hire drivers amidst a competitive job market.

Toledo, Ohio – The ongoing shortage of school bus drivers is causing significant disruptions across local school districts in Northwest Ohio and Michigan. Superintendents are reporting challenges in retaining drivers and filling open positions, attributing the crisis to inadequate funding, cumbersome work schedules, and a lack of qualified applicants.

The situation has become dire with more than 600 school districts in Ohio struggling to recruit enough drivers. Superintendent Jonathan Royce outlined the difficulties faced near the start of the school year, particularly in finding certified bus drivers willing to work split shifts for pay that falls within budget constraints. Many of the available drivers are quickly attracted to larger school districts that offer more competitive compensation, magnifying the retention issue.

As a direct result of the bus driver shortage, numerous schools have had to make budget cuts and alter their transportation services. For example, Findlay City Schools recently decreased high school bus services and extended the walking radius for students, prompting concerns from families regarding safety and accessibility. Additional districts, such as Onsted Community Schools in Michigan, have taken steps to prepare families for potential last-minute cancellations or changes to bus routes.

In response to the driver shortage, some school districts are organizing recruitment events. Toledo Public Schools held a “Drive The Bus” hiring event to attract more drivers. Despite these efforts, many districts are still experiencing logistical challenges, particularly when drivers call in sick. Districts with only enough drivers for regular routes must scramble for alternative transportation, leading to further complications for parents.

The driver shortage has also led to a series of legal battles. Several Ohio school districts, including Columbus City Schools and Dayton Public Schools, have filed lawsuits against the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). The lawsuits stem from monetary penalties imposed for failures to provide transportation for charter and private school students, with fines totaling millions of dollars. Transportation industry representatives claim these penalties have a significant adverse impact on the operations of school transportation services by withholding crucial funding.

Transportation supervisors have criticized the ODE for imposing penalties that disproportionately affect whole budgets instead of addressing specific routes or issues. Dayton Public Schools, for instance, has accrued fines amounting to $1.95 million, while Toledo Public Schools argues that the ODE’s policies are unrealistic and detrimental to their students’ needs. Additionally, Groveport Madison Schools has terminated its contract with its bus contractor amid these unresolved legal issues, further complicating transportation for their students.

Some districts have successfully contested the ODE’s decisions, as seen with Columbus City Schools, who managed to prevent the state from withholding essential transportation funding during prior legal interventions. Meanwhile, universal standards regarding the eligibility of complaints from parents about transportation issues have increased pressure on school districts already grappling with a driver shortage.

This situation has placed many schools in a precarious position, as transportation services are vital for students’ access to education. Washington Local Schools, for example, too faced the consequences of the crisis by canceling preschool transportation on certain days due to high driver shortages, thereby notifying parents about potential delays affecting elementary and high school services as well.

Amid these challenges, schools are making every attempt to hire both full-time and part-time drivers to alleviate the pressure. However, the path to a resolution remains complex, with legislative constraints and ongoing disputes complicating efforts to secure adequate transportation for students across the region.

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CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HERECleveland.com, your premier source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with in-depth coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—backed by years of expert reporting and robust community input, including local press releases and business updates, while providing top reporting on high-profile events like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions, Cleveland International Film Festival, and holiday parades, alongside key organizations such as the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Orchestra, and Great Lakes Science Center, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare like Sherwin-Williams and University Hospitals, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREDayton.com, offering comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's vibrant landscape. HERE Cleveland HERE Dayton