Bus delays continue through first month of school as Francis Howell driver shortage persists

School buses are running behind schedule in the Francis Howell School District due to a shortage of drivers, according to school officials.

The district is down more than 10% of its driving force, according to an email sent to families and community members on Sept. 15, which includes 27 full-time bus driver vacancies and four full-time bus monitors.

The drivers and monitors are Francis Howell staff members, as compared to employees of a contractor that a school district works with, like Zum or First Student.

Francis Howell’s Director of Transportation, Jennifer Simpson, stated in the email that the district is feeling the effect of a national shortage of school bus drivers.

According to a 2024 analysis from the Economic Policy Institute , a non-partisan think tank, low wages and t