Bus ridership within the Gasconade County R-2 School District has increased this year to 1,509 assigned riders — a 191 student increase from last year, according to Transportation Director Gary Pohlmann.

Superintendent Dr. Jeri Kay Hardy said the increase in ridership is mostly speculation, but had a few ideas where the additional riders came from.
“I am assuming it is probably from parents who decided to have kids ride the bus,” Hardy said. “A lot of parents are no longer working from home and I would think that would cause an increase in our ridership.”

She speculated that the rising cost of fuel may also play a part, as well as the preschool expansion program.

“We don’t transport 3-year-olds, only 4-year-olds,” she said. “I will have to look and see how many we have riding (for preschool). I wouldn’t think there would be that many kids.”

Pohlmann provided statistics in his transportation report.

“Last year, 2022-23, starting ridership was 1,318 students assigned to buses, a 191 student increase,” Pohlmann said.

In 2022-23 the district traveled 425,071 miles and used 52,299.7 gallons of fuel (diesel and gas) which cost the district $196,533.47 total.

“District maintenance and staff vehicle fuel is included in these numbers,” Pohlmann wrote in his report. “We are early in the year but student transportation discipline issues continue to be our leading issue.”

He added that the district is still in need of substitute drivers to assist with routes. As of the Sept. 18 meeting, the transportation department had not had a fully staffed day.

“Staffing is still plaguing us for the start of the year,” Pohlmann continued. “We currently are filling three routes daily with subs due to illness and medical leave. We are still in need of more sub drivers.”

The district’s bus driver education training program has had three candidates enrolled in the Entry Level Driving Training.

“One passed and is currently driving our full time sub position, one is ready to test, and one is ready to start the behind-the-wheel training portion of the course,” Pohlmann said. “The DOT testing requirements are set to change at the first of the year — that will make testing a little less rigorous, focusing more on knowledge of the parts you are inspecting and not the number of items on inspection.”

Pohlmann thanked the board of education for its continued support. He added that administrators continue to support the transportation team with options to help defer discipline issues.

Last school year, Pohlmann had anticipated the need to update some of the fleet buses, but have not yet received the order.

“Currently we have new Thomas Buses on order, one for 2023 and two for 2024,” he said. “Delivery date will be late summer 2024.”

A Ford passenger van that was approved for purchase months ago is also delayed indefinitely.

“The 10-passenger van that was approved has been sitting in the order portal waiting for Ford to open orders,” Pohlmann said. “We may need to discuss other options.”

However, a truck purchased for the district’s school resource officer, Ike Herbel, is being used daily and the new Tahoe for staff is being driven almost daily.

New bus maintenance equipment was delivered to the district, including bus lifts.

“The new bus lifts were delivered and put to use immediately,” Pohlmann said in his report. “This has made an immediate difference in the service and repair of the fleet.”

The next board of education meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Oct. 16 at the Administration Building.