PULASKI COUNTY, Ark. – An email from Pulaski County Special School District Superintendent Jeff Senn on Friday gave an update on the district's struggles with school bus drivers.

Senn acknowledged that the PCSSD has had a bus driver shortage for the past year. Officials have worked since the summer to recruit, hire and retain drivers, but still need 20 more drivers than its current 96 to meet needs.

The district has seven drivers currently undergoing training, Senn stated, which will lower the need to 13 drivers. PCSSD is “dedicated” to finding additional drivers, he wrote.

Senn also acknowledged the hardship the lack of drivers is placing on students and parents due to longer wait times for buses.

Senn said that half of the more than 12,000 students in the district take the bus daily.

See Full Page