January 10, 2023

Dear TCAPS High School Families,

Over the last several months, TCAPS has been faced with extreme staffing shortages. These shortages
are impacting our child care, facilities, and transportation departments. To be clear, the district is in a
dire situation and due to bus driver shortages, we must make adjustments to continue transportation
services to as many students as possible. While we are taking the action to temporarily reduce high
school transportation, we are hopeful that staffing will improve and we can reevaluate transportation
services over the next few months.

In reference to previous data collected from TCAPS parents, advance notice of highly probable
transportation issues were preferred over daily cancellations notices. To address our current crisis, the
following adjustment will be made to high school routes January 23 - February 10, 2023:

● January 23, 24, 30, 31, February 3, 6 and 7 - normal transportation routes for Central High
School and there will not be morning or afternoon transportation routes for West Senior High
School.

● January 25, 26, 27, February 1, 2, 8, 9 and 10 - normal transportation routes for West Senior
High School and there will not be morning or afternoon transportation routes for Central High
School.

● Career Tech Center (CTC) and other specialized transportation options are being evaluated and
will be communicated when more information is available.

Currently, elementary and middle school transportation routes will not be affected. However, future
adjustments may be needed if our current driver shortage does not improve as we continue through the
school year. Any future transportation adjustments will be communicated as we continue to evaluate
staffing challenges.

Alternate transportation options for high school students may be available at no charge to students by
the Bay Area Transit Authority (BATA) on days school bus transportation is not available. Additional
communication will be sent related to BATA routes that are available to students in a separate
communication based on the location of current bus stops.

All families are asked to consider other transportation options for the remainder of the academic year. If
parents are willing and able to transport their students to and/or from school or carpool, please
complete this form by January 20. We understand this request may not be a viable option for all
families; however, if the district sees a decline in ridership, it will afford us the opportunity to gain routing
efficiencies with a goal to reduce the number of drivers required on a daily basis.

Please consider sharing career opportunities at TCAPS with anyone who has a heart for kids and
community! Bus drivers receive five weeks of paid training, a sign-on bonus up to $1,000, a starting
salary of $21.00 - $23.75 per hour, and an excellent benefit package. Also, flexible schedules and full
time employment is available. If you, or someone you know, is interested in becoming a bus driver,
please contact the TCAPS Human Resources Department at 231.933.1710 or hr@tcaps.net.

TCAPS also has other employment opportunities, including summer work, available and the district is
eager to hire quality individuals for numerous full or part-time positions. Check out our openings online
or consider attending an open interview to learn more about what opportunities align with your skills
and interests.

While we realize this is an inconvenience to all, TCAPS will continue to promote employment
opportunities at TCAPS to minimize the transportation disruptions as soon as possible. We thank you
for your patience and cooperation.

Sincerely,

John R. VanWagoner, II Ph.D.

Superintendent