Laketran Partners With Mentor Schools to Restore Student Transportation
Mentor Public Schools is taking decisive steps to prevent future transportation disruptions after a district-wide shutdown on September 30, caused by a severe bus driver shortage.
The closure, announced early that morning, affected all students and staff, as the district cited “a large number of absences in the transportation department” that left them unable to operate all routes.
Superintendent Craig Heath issued a public apology on Friday, acknowledging the inconvenience to families and reaffirming the district’s commitment to ensuring a reliable transportation system for every student.
As part of the recovery plan, Mentor Schools has expanded its partnership with Laketran, which will now operate two dedicated bus routes for the district starting Monday.
District bus aides will accompany the routes to ensure student safety. Families affected by the new arrangements have already been contacted via phone and email.
The disruption has also sparked renewed interest in bus driver positions. Heath confirmed that the district has received “numerous applications” since the closure and continues to encourage community members to apply online.
To strengthen recruitment efforts, Mentor Schools will host a “Drive the Bus” event on November 1 from 10 a.m. to noon at Mentor High School. The initiative will allow prospective drivers to experience handling a school bus firsthand and learn about the role’s responsibilities and benefits.
“We will continue to focus on getting to full staff in the transportation department so we can meet our goal of improving the day-to-day experience for students who rely on us to get to and from school safely and on time each day,” Heath emphasized.
This commitment underscores the importance of dependable transportation as part of every child’s right to education and safety. Access to school should never be hindered by logistical barriers; every child deserves a safe, secure, and uninterrupted transport to school.
