OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Pictured is the fleet of buses at the Forestville Central School District bus garage. The Forestville Board of Education approved a wage increase for bus drivers to address a shortage of qualified drivers.

FORESTVILLE — In an effort to address a bus driver shortage, the Forestville Board of Education has taken action to increase wages for bus drivers. The Board approved a memorandum of agreement between the Forestville Central School District and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 200United regarding bus driver pay rates.

As part of the new agreement, bus drivers will be paid $24.50 per hour along with benefits. Higher hourly rates are offered to drivers with experience. Drivers that do not yet possess a Commercial Driver’s License will have their training costs covered by the district.

“I cannot imagine the amount of time and effort that has gone into that (agreement) to get it ready to present and make it workable,” Transportation Supervisor Kris Richter said. “We are ecstatic about being able to potentially bring aboard a couple new bus drivers, hopefully, in a year or two, just to be fully staffed and be able to provide meaningful transportation to our students.”

Richter spoke to the bus driver shortage that Forestville has faced as a district so far this year. Recently, Forestville received help from another district to cover a field trip, which saved the district from cancelling the trip.

“Otherwise, I didn’t have a way to take them,” Richter said. “I’m very appreciative of that (assistance).”

The district also needed to reconfigure multiple bus runs due to the driver shortage. Forestville re-bid its bus runs, as three drivers were forced to change their routes. Seven high school students needed minor schedule adjustments to accommodate the new routes.

“Hopefully, we don’t have any more changes like that, because it does disrupt things. Kids get used to their driver, they get used to their aide. You don’t like to see changes like that in the middle of the year,” Richter said.

Richter spoke to the “high level of accountability” that drivers are held to. Bus drivers’ personal driving records are also monitored by school districts, like Forestville, and any infraction on a driver’s record is reported to the school. Drivers are observed by Richter on a route each year, and they are also required to pass a driving test each year.

“It is an inconvenience, but it holds us each accountable for our own abilities,” Richter said. “… It helps keep us aware to make good choices on the road.”

Interested candidates can complete an online application at forestville.com/district/employment and submit the application to District Clerk Melody Voigt in person, via mail, or online via email at mvoigt@forestville.com.

Superintendent Dr. John O’Connor said to Richter, “We appreciate what you all have done to get our kids to school safely.”

The Board later approved a change in hours for Transportation Department employees Bill Moss, Randy Richter, Jane Scott, and Jen Tampio-France. Tampio-France resigned from the role of floater monitor aide, while Scott was appointed as a floater monitor aide for 1.5 hours per day.

The Board also accepted the retirement resignation of Terri O’Connor, floater monitor aide, effective Aug. 30. Laurie Strong and Christine Sobilo were appointed as substitute floater monitor aides, while Sobilo will also substitute as a cleaner.

Sarah Pearson was appointed as Play and Music Director, replacing Jay Hagen. An extension of the probationary period of employment for Mathematics Teacher Brenda Kerstetter was approved through Aug. 31, 2027. Ryanne Dugan and John Sliwa were approved as varsity softball volunteers.

Thomas DeJoe, David Lowrey, Christine Schnars, and Jeff Chase were nominated to serve on the BOCES Second Supervisory District Board, for terms commencing July 1, 2026 and ending on June 30, 2029.

An agreement to enter into a data privacy agreement with the RIC ONE Risk Operations Center was approved by the Board. The 2026-27 instructional calendar was also approved.

Additionally, Elementary School Principal Shauna McMahon expressed gratitude to the district’s buildings and grounds workers, led by Supervisor Kyle Barthel, for keeping the students and staff of the district warm and safe during the recent winter weather.

The next meeting of the Forestville Board of Education is Thursday, March 12 at 5:30 p.m., following a budget workshop.