Update 12:29 pm: In a follow-up email, Superintendent Dr. Hile clarified that transportation will still be provided for all EHOVE students, despite earlier announcements about the suspension of bus service for grades 9 through 12.
Vermilion Local Schools will temporarily suspend school bus transportation for students in grades 9 through 12, citing a severe shortage of qualified drivers.
Superintendent David Hile shared the update in a letter to families this morning, explaining that the district has already consolidated six routes over the past two years and has relied heavily on mechanics and the director of transportation to cover daily runs. Recent departures have made that model unsustainable.
“We had a bus mechanic leave in the spring, a driver retire at the end of last school year, another resign to become a truck driver, and one develop a medical issue that prevents them from driving,” Hile said.
The district now finds itself short three drivers and one substitute driver. Because previous consolidations have already filled the buses to capacity, further route reductions are not an option. As a result, transportation for high school students is being paused until new drivers can be hired and trained. Busing for extracurricular activities will continue, since those trips happen outside normal route hours and can still be covered.
Hile also noted that school bus drivers in Ohio must meet strict certification requirements, including a commercial driver’s license with school bus endorsements, four written exams, a driving test, 15 hours of classroom instruction, and 12 hours of behind-the-wheel training. The full process can take weeks or even months and often deters potential applicants.
“This is the last thing we want to do,” Hile said. “We know how important busing is for our families, and we will resume transportation as soon as we are able to hire additional drivers.”
The district is encouraging interested candidates to apply. The application can be found at:
For now, families are asked to make alternative arrangements for high school transportation as the new school year begins.
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