YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown City School District has ended busing for most high school students.

Representatives from the district were not available to speak to The Vindicator on Wednesday but according to information on the district’s website, the school board Tuesday approved a motion to “discontinue district-provided transportation for all high schools (9-12) and any charter and nonpublic high schools for which Youngstown City School District provides transportation. The exception will be for students with transportation as part of their Individualized Educational Plan.”

“This is news that we did not want to deliver,” YCSD Superintendent Jeremy Batchelor stated in a release. “The administration and board of education have been conversing about the most efficient course of action.”

Batchelor stated the decision was made with careful consideration, and that YCSD will offer the Western Reserve Transit Authority as a free mode of transit for all riders.

“The district is working closely with the WRTA to ensure families are kept informed throughout this transition,” he stated. “YCSD also wants to emphasize that no driver has lost employment because of the changes.”

The statement says that Youngstown is not the only district in Ohio with alternative high school transportation, citing Akron Public Schools and Cincinnati Public Schools as examples.

“This process is part of the state minimum transportation model. Students in grades K-8 will receive transportation if they are in more than a 2-mile walk-zone, the maximum permitted by state law,” Batchelor stated.

The statement says the district’s decision stems from a shortage of bus drivers and

a $2 million withholding penalty for noncompliance from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

“The noncompliance stems from the bus driver shortages that the district, like other public schools in our region and nationwide, has been facing,” the statement reads. “The post-pandemic amplified these shortages, and we have been making continuous efforts for years to overcome them.”

The statement indicates that WRTA makes stops “in very close proximity to our high schools.” The statement directs students and families to the MyStop Mobile App and the WRTA website: https://www.wrtaonline.com/rider-info/maps-and-schedules/

“YCSD is legally responsible for transporting all eligible students to the district, community, or chartered nonpublic schools where they are enrolled. With 14 buildings in the district and 36 transporting vehicles in total, it has its challenges,” Batchelor stated. “The district sincerely appreciates all of our families and extended families in other charter and nonpublic schools. We thank you for your cooperation and continued support.”

The statement says the district will provide more information in the coming weeks, and YCSD is additionally preparing to solicit proposals from third-party providers to provide special transportation and other assistance. The request for proposals will be available at ycsd.org.

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