Susquehanna Township, PA, August 29, 2025
News Summary
The Susquehanna Township School District has canceled classes for two elementary schools due to an unexpected shortage of bus drivers. Parents received late notifications, sparking concerns about childcare and the reliability of future transportation. The district, which had previously assured sufficient staffing, plans to work with its transportation provider to address these issues moving forward.
Susquehanna Township, PA – Classes Canceled Due to Bus Driver Shortage
The Susquehanna Township School District has canceled classes for Sara Lindemuth and Thomas Holtzman Elementary Schools due to a last-minute bus driver shortage. The announcement was made early Tuesday morning, around 5 o’clock, catching many parents off guard. The district’s decision has raised concerns among families, particularly regarding childcare arrangements following the unexpected school closure.
Parents received notifications through phone calls and a Facebook post. Many were taken by surprise, leading to frustrations over the timing and communication of the school’s administration. Just a week into the new school year, the transportation issues have already prompted significant concern among parents.
Noelle Miller, a parent, initially missed the notification about school cancellation and later found out her second grader would have no classes that day. Likewise, Troy Dunston expressed disappointment that children would miss valuable learning opportunities so early in the academic year. As another concerned parent, Nikki Paul, shared her perspective, she emphasized that younger children require consistent in-person schooling to build foundational skills necessary for their educational journey.
Prior to the start of the school year, parents were assured that the district was prepared to handle transportation logistics effectively. Dr. Tamara Willis, the district’s Superintendent, confirmed less than ten days ago that the school district had secured enough bus drivers for the year. In her statement, the district maintained that they were competitive in offering favorable wages and benefits to attract qualified drivers.
The sudden cancellation has sparked fears regarding future transportation issues, especially during inclement weather. Parents voiced their concerns about not only the reliability of bus services but also the safety and qualifications of substitute drivers. Changes from the school district’s transportation provider, Rohrer Bus, have added to apprehensions among families as they navigate these challenges.
Bethe Suarez, a parent with six children enrolled in the district, reported ongoing problems with the bus service, including missed pickups and issues with overcrowded buses. These troubles have brought additional scrutiny to Rohrer Bus. Importantly, the nearby Cumberland Valley School District has faced similar issues with the same transportation provider, leading to notifications sent to parents about changes in services.
In response to the bus shortage, Rohrer Bus has stated they are working on streamlining their onboarding process for new drivers to ensure timely and efficient transportation for students. As schools continue to prioritize prompt return to classes, ongoing disruptions raise questions about the reliability of transportation for the school year ahead.
Moving forward, the Susquehanna Township School District plans to collaborate closely with Rohrer Bus and seek long-term solutions to guarantee dependable services for students’ commuting needs.
FAQ
Why were classes canceled at Susquehanna Township School District?
Classes were canceled due to a last-minute bus driver shortage, which was announced early on the morning of the cancellation.
How were parents informed about the cancellation?
Parents were notified through phone calls and a Facebook post by the school district.
What are the concerns of parents regarding the bus service?
Parents raised concerns about last-minute cancellations creating childcare issues, safety, and the qualifications of substitute drivers amid ongoing transportation problems.
What actions is the school district taking to address the bus driver shortage?
The school district plans to work closely with their transportation provider, Rohrer Bus, to explore long-term solutions to ensure reliable transportation for students.
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Additional Resources
- Local21News: Susquehanna School Closures
- Wikipedia: School Bus
- WGAL: Bus Driver Shortage in PA
- Google Search: Bus Driver Shortage Susquehanna Township
- PennLive: Dauphin County Schools Bus Shortage
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Transportation
- Fox43: Parents Struggle with Bus Driver Shortage
- Google News: Susquehanna Township School Disruption
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