Parents are working to find a solution to the “annoying” bus shortage in Durham Public Schools

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — The bus problems in Durham are not an isolated incident. The bus driver shortage is impacting school districts across the country.

Brittney McGraw’s two children attend Durham Public Schools and she was disappointed when she learned of the busing changes.

“My reaction at first was shock. It’s not reliable and quite problematic,” McGraw said.

While her high school daughter can drive herself to class, McGraw works from home and has to take her seventh-grader to school. Mcgraw told ABC11 she had to take work calls while waiting in the carpool line.

“My son has said over the last three weeks that some of his friends have been out of school and that’s because they can’t get to school or to school and back again, which in turn has a big impact on the community.” “she said.

HopSkipDrive’s Campbell Millum said three frustrated mothers started the tech company 10 years ago because of inconsistent school transportation issues. They provide vetted nursing drivers and strategic plans to help school districts optimize all possible transportation options.

“School transportation is often used primarily by students who are most at risk or underserved. Maybe they don’t have a parent at home who can drive them to school. We need to make sure there are more resources in this school district,” said Campbell Millum, HopSkipDrive.

SEE ALSO: Cold weather causes more school suspensions: ‘It’s frustrating’

According to a HopSkipDrive survey, more than 80 percent of school districts face the same challenge. Advocates believe this could have a lasting impact on student outcomes and lead to chronic absenteeism.

“You can’t be in school if you don’t come to school. And we strongly believe that we can get these children into school and learning, and not just learning, but also having access to the support that school provides,” Millum said.

Millum said now is the time for school districts to read the signs of the times.

“Schools and school districts need to focus on technology. Namely the technology of today. We cannot expect to solve the problem today with the same actions we did many years ago. Otherwise we’ll have the exact same conversation next year,” Millum said.

McGraw believes students deserve better.

“It seems to be a fundamental thing to get the children to school. That’s why we should make sure that happens. And as a city, as a county, as a county, there should be no exceptions,” McGraw said.

HopSkipDrive said there is an initial cost to the technology, but many districts that use it end up realizing long-term savings that they ultimately use to raise salaries for existing bus drivers.