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Two area school districts have entered into a shared services agreement for transportation services, to help with the increasing challenges in staffing bus drivers that are continuing to occur both locally and nationally.
Jamestown Public Schools and Cassadaga Valley Central School approved a shared services agreement at the Jamestown Board of Education's August 11 meeting, and Cassadaga Valley's August 12 board meeting. The agreement will be used on an as-needed basis and came about due to Cassadaga Valley having needs to collaborate with other school districts last year sometimes for transportation.
"During the prior school year, due to a shortage in available bus drivers, the Cassadaga Valley District was able to collaborate with Jamestown and other districts to provide transportation to minimize the impact on student wait times," Cassadaga Valley Superintendent Tammy Mangus said. "The agreement is precautionary in nature as we currently do not have a need to provide or receive shared transportation services during the current school year. We were able to identify multiple situations in the previous year that would have been of benefit, and we would have needed to run through the shared services process. This lets us spring into action quickly if a benefit to sharing or need is identified."
The terms of the agreement will last for one year, beginning on July 1, 2026 and will automatically be renewed for two additional one-year terms on July 1, 2027 and July 1, 2028, unless one district notifies the other in writing of non-renewal on or before May 1 of each year.
Dr. Kevin Whitaker, Jamestown Public Schools District superintendent, added that the agreement is expected to be used occasionally, when either district already has a bus traveling in the same direction and can reasonably assist with transporting a student for educational purposes. While Whitaker said the agreement was not prompted by a specific incident or concern in Jamestown, the agreement was developed as a practical way for the districts to cooperate when transportation needs and existing routes align.
"The agreement gives both districts additional flexibility and allows them to use their transportation resources more efficiently," Whitaker said. "For example, if Jamestown already has a bus traveling toward the LoGuidice Educational Center in Fredonia, it may be able to transport a Cassadaga Valley student without requiring the other district to arrange a separate trip. The agreement is reciprocal, so either district can assist the other when circumstances allow."
Mangus said the intent is for the two districts to share transportation services when practical to improve student educational experiences and minimize expense.