Susquehanna Township, PA, August 27, 2025
News Summary
Susquehanna Township School District announced the closure of Anna Carter Primary School and Thomas Holtzman Elementary School due to an unexpected bus driver shortage. The decision was made following safety concerns for younger students who might be left unattended at bus stops. Other schools within the district remained operational, while transportation providers are actively working to resolve the shortage through various recruiting strategies. Families are encouraged to provide temporary transportation to mitigate delays as the district communicates updates.
Susquehanna Township, PA – Two schools in the Susquehanna Township School District, Anna Carter Primary School and Thomas Holtzman Elementary School, faced closure on Tuesday due to an unexpected bus driver shortage. This disruption was announced early Tuesday morning on the district’s website, around 5 a.m., creating challenges for many families in the area.
The closure was attributed to an insufficient number of bus drivers, a situation that the district characterized as “unexpected transportation issues.” A statement released by the district confirmed that notice of the transportation challenge was only received late the previous evening, complicating efforts to communicate effectively with families about the closure.
The Superintendent of the Susquehanna Township School District noted that the driver shortage is a widespread issue affecting numerous districts across Pennsylvania. The district relies on a transportation provider, which recently did not have enough drivers available to fulfill the needs of the schools. Because of potential safety concerns regarding younger students being left unattended at bus stops, the district decided to close the two primary schools.
While the two primary schools were closed, Susquehanna Township Middle School and High School remained open and operated on regular schedules. To keep families informed, the district plans to utilize the Campus Messenger System to provide updates on transportation matters throughout the rest of the week.
Shultz Transportation, the provider serving multiple school districts in Pennsylvania, has also been impacted by the driver shortage. In a proactive effort to mitigate class cancellations, Shultz Transportation’s leadership indicated a willingness to drive buses themselves if necessary. This transportation provider is implementing competitive pay and benefits to attract and retain drivers, emphasizing the importance of hiring individuals who enjoy working with children and ensuring proper training for new drivers.
As a response to the ongoing situation, families were encouraged to provide temporary transportation for their children to minimize combined bus routes and reduce delays. On Tuesday evening, the district announced plans for the two closed schools to reopen on Wednesday, although it cautioned families about the possibility of continued transportation delays.
Rohrer Bus, the district’s contracted service, confirmed that it is also facing a driver shortage and is ramping up recruiting efforts. This company aims to enhance its appeal to potential drivers through competitive compensation and improved training programs. To promote bus driver opportunities, Rohrer Bus is hosting community events to raise awareness and attract new applicants.
Background Context
The bus driver shortage is not an isolated issue in Susquehanna Township; it reflects a larger trend affecting school districts across the state. Many districts are struggling to find qualified drivers amid a competitive job market. The shortage has led to increasing instances of school closures and delayed transportation, affecting both students and families.
As Susquehanna Township navigates these challenges, maintaining public safety and ensuring that students are reliably transported to and from school remain top priorities for district officials. The response from local transportation providers emphasizes a collaborative effort to address the crisis and develop solutions to avoid further disruptions in education.
FAQ
Why were Anna Carter Primary School and Thomas Holtzman Elementary School closed?
The schools were closed due to an unexpected shortage of bus drivers in the Susquehanna Township School District, which posed potential safety risks for younger students without transportation.
What actions are being taken regarding the driver shortage?
The district and its transportation providers, including Shultz Transportation and Rohrer Bus, are implementing strategies such as competitive pay, enhanced training, and community recruitment events to attract and retain bus drivers.
What should families do during the bus driver shortage?
Families are encouraged to provide temporary transportation for their children to help minimize combined bus routes and potential delays as schools work through the transportation issues.
Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Closure | Anna Carter Primary School and Thomas Holtzman Elementary School were closed on Tuesday due to a bus driver shortage. |
| Remaining Schools | Susquehanna Township Middle School and High School maintained normal operations. |
| Transportation Providers | Shultz Transportation and Rohrer Bus are actively recruiting and implementing strategies to address the driver shortage. |
| Action Steps | Families are asked to provide temporary transportation to reduce delays. |
| Future Updates | The district plans to provide ongoing transportation updates via the Campus Messenger System. |
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Additional Resources
- Local21 News: Susquehanna Township Schools Closed Due to Transportation Issues
- AOL: Bus Driver Shortage Forces Susquehanna School Closures
- PennLive: Bus Shortage Shuts Down Dauphin County Schools
- ABC27: Dauphin County Schools Closed Due to Transportation Issues
- WHTM: School Closures Due to Driver Shortage
- Wikipedia: School Bus
- Google Search: Bus Driver Shortage in PA
- Google Scholar: Educational Transportation Issues
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Transportation
- Google News: Bus Driver Shortage
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