HCPSS Superintendent Statement on Student Transportation, Sept. 13, 2024

September 13th, 2024

Throughout the past year, there has been a focus on student transportation challenges of last school year with increased scrutiny on Zum Services’ role. Since becoming Acting Superintendent and then Superintendent of the Howard County Public School System, I have had very productive and positive conversations with Zum leadership, and I commend the efforts of their staff and drivers to improve and play a significant role in the success in this year’s student transportation efforts. Zum leadership shared with me that beyond having 100% of their routes covered, they have a 97% on-time performance and have received a consistent 4.9 out of 5 rating from HCPSS families. I have had conversations with school administrators, and they echo this positive feedback. This is extremely reassuring. Additionally, Zum has trained over 150 new school bus drivers to help overcome shortages and their technology has provided tremendous transparency so families have accurate information about school buses.

But it’s not just Zum. We have been challenged by a bus driver shortage of nearly 100 drivers for several years, resulting in many challenges transporting students to and from school efficiently. I also acknowledge how our legacy contractors were treated and recognize the work we have done to rebuild supportive relationships because the work of transporting our students is a partnership and each of our contractors is critical to this work.

Now, because of the efforts of all our student transportation contractors, we have a surplus of drivers to serve our students, families and schools. Furthermore, they are all providing tremendous service this school year transporting students safely and largely on time. The last time our student transportation services operated this effectively was prior to the COVID pandemic.

Last year, there was understandably great scrutiny on the challenges of our student transportation system. A recent transportation audit and subsequent media attention has resulted in some looking back at the challenges of last year. Zum has expressed their disagreement with the framing and portrayal of some statements contained in the report and HCPSS acknowledges the role our internal issues played in the challenges from a year ago.

My focus is now on the comprehensive efforts that occurred collaboratively between school system staff and each of our student transportation contractors that resulted in a highly successful start to the current school year. Our joint efforts will continue so we may collectively provide improved transportation service on behalf of students and families.

I am encouraged by the continued success of our entire student transportation services. The improvement process never ends, and I look forward to continuing, and strengthening, our close partnership with each of our contractors.