MELVINDALE, Mich. (WWJ) -- More parents in metro Detroit will be trying to find out how to get their kids to school this fall after another school district announced it is suspending bus service due to drivers unexpectedly quitting.
Parents in the Melvindale-Northern Allen Park Public Schools District received a letter Thursday, informing them the district will not be able to offer general education transportation beginning next Tuesday, Sept. 7, due to "the late resignations of four bus drivers and the difficulties finding new drivers."
The district has been utilizing a third-party vendor to assist with busing since the beginning of the school year, and that company canceled their contract with the school district after the drivers resigned.
The district will, however, continue to provide transportation for out-of-district special education services, preschool and career-technical programming.
Mel-NAP isn't alone in experiencing a bus driver shortage, as many districts across the state are having similar issues -- including Grosse Ile Township School District, which announced Wednesday it was dropping general transportation services.
On the other side of the state, the shortage on school bus drivers is so bad that Mona Shores Public Schools, near Muskegon, is offering drivers a $2,500 sign-on bonus and a $500 "finder's fee" to any district employee who recommends new drivers, according to a report from MLive.
Attendance at Holland Public Schools dipped last week after the district had to cut back on bus services.
Four schools in Melvindale and Northern Allen Park will be impacted -- Melvindale High School, Strong Middle School, Rogers Elementary and Allendale Elementary.
District officials say they hope to secure transportation services soon.
"We cannot give parents a date that transportation services will return to the district, however, I can assure you that it is top priority for the district and we will continue to work to find a solution. Parents and staff will be kept informed on our progress," Director of Operations and Transportation Elfriede Hervey said in Thursday's letter.
Grosse Ile officials, meanwhile, said Wednesday they will be exploring the options of bringing in an outside party to offer transportation services.
