November 7, 2024
Dear Families of York,
The York School Department (YSD) is writing to inform you of an upcoming change to our bus service provider. After careful consideration, we have decided to recommend a transition away from using Ledgemere and to move forward with a different transportation provider, First Student.
Why are we making this change?
As many of you are aware, ongoing challenges in fulfilling our transportation needs have made this change necessary. Under its current contract, Ledgemere has yet to consistently provide the required number of bus drivers to meet the demands of our school district, and that shortfall is only getting worse. Specifically, Ledgemere is now only able to provide six of the required nine drivers. That is, simply put, insufficient. We know that recent changes in bus routes, after years of day-to-day unpredictability, have been frustrating and difficult for all of you. We share your frustrations and want to reassure you that we’ve been working hard to explore every short- and long-term option for limiting any further inconvenience or disruption.
Why First Student?
First Student has a proven track record of providing reliable and efficient transportation services to school districts across New England and nationally. They have stringent safety protocols in place, including regular driver training, driver coaching, and thorough background checks. Their large regional and national footprint, along with offering drivers higher pay and benefits, allows them to fill driver positions and to have spare drivers available when necessary. First Student also offers modern software systems and technology to help YSD personnel and families track buses and receive real-time updates about any delays or changes. After several interviews and conference calls, the York School Committee and YSD Administration are confident that First Student will be able to meet the needs of our families by providing reliable transportation to school and school-related events.
With respect to safety, while doing our diligence on First Student, we did find an example of a driver-specific incident in a nearby district. However, through further diligence and First Student’s openness during our interview process, it became clear that First Student’s quick action and reliance on company protocols allowed them to handle the situation in a safe and timely manner. In fact, First Student is still used by that district today. In addition, we appreciated First Student’s honesty and transparency during this interview and diligence process. Both were an important factor in YSD’s recommendation to move forward with First Student.
For more information, please see a linked PowerPoint presentation here, which First Student shared with the York School Committee at a recent meeting. The presentation covers First Student's many services and safety measures.
The York School Committee plans to vote on whether to officially make First Student the primary school bus service provider for York at its next meeting on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 7:00 P.M. Once the details have been worked out, the York School Department will focus on providing more specific information about the transition, including any changes to bus routes or schedules. The projected timing for the change will be January 1, 2025.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about this change in transportation providers that you would like us to consider before the scheduled vote, please reply to Tim Doak (tdoak@yorkschools.org) and Rick Kusturin (rkusturin@yorkschools.org) no later than 9 A.M., Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
For all other questions and comments on the busing company change, please do not hesitate to contact the York School Department. The York School Department deeply appreciates your understanding, cooperation, and patience as the school department works to implement this change. Your support is invaluable to us.
Sincerely,
Timothy L. Doak
Superintendent of Schools