Tiffin City Schools considering changes to start, end times due to bus driver shortage

On Apr 10, 2022

Tiffin, Ohio — Tiffin City Schools is considering changes to the start and end times for schools within the district due to a statewide shortage of bus drivers.

The district projects that there will be 20 route drivers serving the 23 current configuration routes for the 2022-2023 school year. Nine contracted route drivers are of retirement age, and one driver is retiring at the end of this school year, according to a PowerPoint presentation shared by TCS.

Options for the upcoming school year include a two-tier routing system, which would “create a more effective system to use the resources (staff & bus) that are currently available,” or a reduction of eligibility zones for transportation.

The two-tier routing system would result in school bell schedules being shifted, although the length of school days would not be adjusted.

Current bell times for TCS buildings, compared to proposed start/end times for the 2022-2023 school year. (Credit: Tiffin City Schools)

As part of the two-tier plan, Tiffin Middle School and Columbian High School students would ride the first tier buses, while elementary students would be assigned to the second tier. Busing for non-public and community schools would also be included in the first tier busing.

Alternatively, the plan to reduce eligibility zones would result in the minimum distance from school for elementary students being increased, while busing for high school students would be eliminated. The minimum distance for middle school students would remain unchanged under the plan.

Credit: Tiffin City Schools

The Tiffin City Board of Education is encouraging parents to attend an upcoming transportation discussion scheduled for Saturday, April 9 at 10 a.m. at Tiffin Middle School.

“The driver shortage is a crisis that requires a wide scope of input to find the best solution,” Tiffin City Schools wrote in a Facebook post. “Parent attendance and input at this meeting is crucial.”