For several years, the need for bus drivers in Gaston County has outpaced the number of people signing up to drive.

To compensate for the gap in bus drivers in recent years, Gaston County Schools changed to a two-tier model for routes, which allows a single driver to complete an elementary school route and a middle and high school route each day.

According to district spokesman Todd Hagans, the district will start the 2025-26 school year with about 25 bus driver vacancies, an average number for the district.

Additionally, Gaston County Schools is going into the new year with 49 teaching vacancies, down from 73 last year and 115 vacancies in 2023.

“Having more job fairs during the school year, being involved in community, regional and college hiring/recruitment activities, and bringing

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