Cumberland Valley and Susquehanna Township, August 27, 2025
News Summary
Cumberland Valley and Susquehanna Township Schools are currently grappling with a significant bus driver shortage, leading to multiple canceled bus runs. On August 26, families received last-minute notifications about route cancellations, disrupting transportation for over 10,500 students in the Cumberland Valley School District. This issue coincided with Susquehanna Township’s closure of two elementary schools due to transportation challenges. Both districts are working with transportation providers to improve communication and find long-term solutions to the crisis.
Cumberland Valley and Susquehanna Township Schools Face Bus Driver Shortage
On August 26, 2025, multiple bus runs were canceled in the Cumberland Valley School District, disrupting transportation for several schools in the region. Five specific bus routes were affected, prompting families to make alternate arrangements. Notifications about the cancellations were sent to families around 1:30 PM, indicating the urgency of the situation as schools faced significant operational challenges due to the bus driver shortage.
This crisis was compounded by the Susquehanna Township School District closing two elementary schools, Anna Carter Primary and Thomas Holtzman Elementary, on the same day because of “unexpected transportation issues.” Both districts are grappling with a broader issue of bus driver shortages that is impacting many school districts across Pennsylvania.
Cumberland Valley School District serves over 10,500 students across 13 schools. The district has warned families about potential delays and cancellations due to ongoing shortages among their contracted transportation providers. Despite efforts to inform families of any delays or cancellations by 8 PM the evening prior, the sudden nature of the shortages resulted in last-minute changes that could not be properly communicated in advance.
Challenges in Communication and Planning
Late evening revelations of driver shortages complicated timely notifications to families, adding to the confusion. Cumberland Valley School District has issued a letter advising families of the impact of the bus driver shortage. Superintendent Mark A. Blanchard expressed appreciation for the patience shown by families while they work collaboratively with transportation providers to address the issue.
Families are advised to keep their contact information updated in the district’s Skyward system and are encouraged to complete the Transportation Survey aimed at improving route efficiency. Susquehanna Township School District also committed to providing transportation updates through their Campus Messenger System for the remainder of the week.
Efforts to Address the Shortage
The shortage of bus drivers is not an isolated problem; it is part of a larger trend affecting school districts statewide. Shultz Transportation, which provides services to both Cumberland Valley and Susquehanna Township, is struggling to maintain adequate staffing levels for bus drivers. The company is exploring various strategies to retain drivers amid these challenges.
Meanwhile, Rohrer Bus, another major transportation provider, is ramping up recruitment efforts and modifying training processes to better confront the ongoing bus driver shortage. Both districts continue to explore long-term solutions to ensure reliable transportation for their students.
As both districts navigate this challenging situation, they emphasize the importance of communication and collaboration with families to mitigate disruptions and ensure students can travel safely to and from school.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the bus driver shortage in Cumberland Valley and Susquehanna Township?
The shortage is part of a larger trend affecting multiple school districts in Pennsylvania, making it difficult for transportation providers to maintain adequate staffing levels.
How many students are affected by the bus cancellations?
Over 10,500 students in the Cumberland Valley School District are impacted, especially with the recent cancellations of key bus routes.
What steps are the school districts taking to address the situation?
Both districts are collaborating with transportation providers to improve communication and are exploring long-term solutions to ensure reliable transportation for students.
How can families ensure they receive timely updates regarding transportation issues?
Families should ensure their contact information is current in the district’s Skyward system and complete the Transportation Survey to improve route efficiency.
Summary of Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Incidents | August 26, 2025 |
| Number of Canceled Routes | Five routes in Cumberland Valley |
| Schools Affected | Cumberland Valley and Susquehanna Township Schools |
| Number of Students | Over 10,500 in Cumberland Valley |
| Transportation Providers | Shultz Transportation; Rohrer Bus |
| Communication System Used | Skyward and Campus Messenger Systems |
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Additional Resources
- ABC 27: Cumberland Valley School District Experiences Bus Cancellations
- WGAL: PA School Bus Driver Shortage – Classes Canceled
- PennLive: Bus Shortage Shuts Down Dauphin County Schools
- CBS News: Winter Storm Delays and Cancellations
- Google Search: Bus Driver Shortage
Author: STAFF HERE PHILADELPHIA WRITER
PHILADELPHIA STAFF WRITER The PHILADELPHIA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhiladelphia.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mummers Parade, Philadelphia Flower Show, and Thanksgiving Day Parade. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Philadelphia, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, food services, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Comcast, Aramark, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Pennsylvania's dynamic landscape.
