Susquehanna Township, PA, August 27, 2025
News Summary
Anna Carter Primary School and Thomas Holtzman Elementary School in Susquehanna Township School District were closed due to a bus driver shortage. The closure was announced early in the morning, citing unexpected transportation issues. Superintendent Tamara Willis noted that this challenge is widespread across Pennsylvania. Families were informed of potential transportation delays for the reopening scheduled the following day. The transportation provider, Shultz Transportation, is working on strategies to attract and retain drivers to avoid further disruptions.
Susquehanna Township, PA – Two educational institutions within the Susquehanna Township School District, Anna Carter Primary School and Thomas Holtzman Elementary School, were closed on Tuesday due to a bus driver shortage. This unexpected closure was officially announced on the district’s website early Tuesday morning, around 5 a.m.
The district cited “unexpected transportation issues” as the primary reason for this disruption. A statement from the school district confirmed that the transportation challenges stemmed from an insufficient number of school bus drivers available to meet the needs of the schools.
Superintendent Tamara Willis indicated that the bus driver shortage is a widespread issue impacting various regions throughout Pennsylvania, including the Susquehanna Township School District. Despite contracting with a transportation provider, the district faced complications when the provider could not supply an adequate number of drivers. Notice concerning the driver shortage was conveyed to the district late on the evening before the closure, creating challenges in informing families promptly.
Educators expressed concern for the safety of younger students who may be left unsupervised at bus stops without transportation. Fortunately, the remaining schools, Susquehanna Township Middle School and Susquehanna Township High School, continued to operate on their standard schedules.
Shultz Transportation, the firm responsible for school transportation in multiple districts across Pennsylvania, is currently facing similar driver shortages. The company’s president stated their commitment to mitigating class cancellations, even suggesting that management may personally drive buses if situations dictate. To attract and retain drivers, the transportation provider is offering competitive salaries and benefits.
In highlighting the critical need for reliable drivers, the president also noted the importance of hiring individuals who enjoy working with children alongside providing extensive training to new hires. In response to the current shortage, the district plans to keep families informed about transportation updates for the remainder of the week utilizing the Campus Messenger System.
On Tuesday evening, the district announced that Anna Carter Primary and Thomas Holtzman Elementary would reopen on Wednesday but advised that families should anticipate potential transportation delays. The district also encouraged parents to arrange temporary transportation for their children to minimize longer bus routes and associated delays.
Rohrer Bus, the district’s contracted transportation service, confirmed their own challenges with driver shortages. They are intensifying local recruitment efforts and providing improved compensation and enhanced training programs to attract new drivers. Additionally, Rohrer Bus is planning community events aimed at promoting available job opportunities for prospective bus drivers.
This combination of efforts from both the Susquehanna Township School District and its transportation providers underscores a collective aim to ensure consistent transportation services for students despite ongoing staffing challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were Anna Carter Primary and Thomas Holtzman Elementary schools closed?
The schools were closed due to a bus driver shortage affecting the Susquehanna Township School District, which made it unsafe to transport students.
Will the schools reopen?
Yes, the schools announced plans to reopen on Wednesday, though families were warned of potential transportation delays.
What is the district doing about the bus driver shortage?
The district is communicating updates with families, while transportation providers like Rohrer Bus are increasing recruitment efforts and offering competitive pay to attract drivers.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Schools Affected | Anna Carter Primary School, Thomas Holtzman Elementary School |
| Reason for Closing | Bus driver shortage |
| Operating Status of Other Schools | Susquehanna Township Middle and High Schools remained open |
| Transportation Provider | Shultz Transportation |
| Recruitment Strategies | Competitive pay, training programs, community events |
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Additional Resources
- Local21 News: Susquehanna Township Schools Closed Due to Transportation Issues
- AOL: Bus Driver Shortage Forces Susquehanna School Closures
- PennLive: Bus Shortage Shuts Down Dauphin County Schools
- ABC27: Dauphin County Schools Closed Due to Transportation Issues
- WHTM: School Closures Due to Driver Shortage
- Wikipedia: School Bus
- Google Search: Bus Driver Shortage in PA
- Google Scholar: Educational Transportation Issues
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Transportation
- Google News: Bus Driver Shortage
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