RANDOLPH COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Due to a bus driver shortage, one West Virginia school has canceled in-person classes for Friday.
Harman School in Randolph County will move to an E-Learning day on Friday, Nov. 21, due to ongoing bus driver shortages, school officials announced Thursday evening.
This isn’t an isolated issue; school districts nationwide are dealing with bus driver shortages.
According to the 2024 State of School Transportation Report from HopSkipDrive, 91% of school districts reported bus driver shortages, and 60% said the shortages were severe enough to force route reductions.
The report also found that more than 44% of school leaders believe transportation problems are contributing to chronic absenteeism.
Staff members are expected to report on their normal schedule despite the change for students.
The transportation issues will also affect other schools. At Elkins Middle School and Elkins High School, Bus 66 will not operate on Friday.
Beverly Elementary students who normally ride Bus 66 will instead be transported by Bus 85.
School officials said families should expect pick-ups and drop-offs to run approximately five to ten minutes behind schedule.
