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Though a state workgroup has recommended "comprehensive system change" for public school transportation, there is little agreement about what that change might look like, or how Ohio can accomplish the goal to "ease current system challenges and build the new system foundation."
According to a report by the Ohio Capital Journal, one major challenge is the shortage in people willing to be bus drivers. Among the other problems to be solved is transportation for students at private schools, religious schools, career centers and educational service centers.
"Family school choice" is included in the Ohio Pupil Transportation Workgroup's report as a "valued principle in Ohio" that is "respected by all workgroup members."
"However, not all stakeholders fully agree on how to best accomplish safe and reliable transportation across education systems for more students," the report said, according to the Capital Journal. "Therefore, the recommendations identify where divergence of opinion exists while seeking to inform policymakers of viable options for moving forward."
They'll be hard pressed to find policymakers who will listen to any recommendations presented that way.
But at least the issue of "persistent bus driver shortages" can be a focal point. During fiscal year 2025, only 14.68% of vacant school bus driver positions were filled. In 34 counties, 10% or fewer of the open bus driver jobs were filled.
Meanwhile, wages and benefits for school bus drivers were affected by the General Assembly's decision to cut funding for the Fair School Funding Plan, in the last operating budget.
"We should not commit to any additional funds for private school students, including additional transportation funding, until we are meeting our promise to the 90% of Ohio students who attend public schools," Melissa Cropper, director of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, told the Capital Journal.
Given the amount of responsibility handed to school bus drivers (a similar increase to what teachers have faced over the past decade or so), money alone won't solve the problem. Other supports must be in place as well.
But money is a start.
Meanwhile, from what lawmakers might have hoped would be a different perspective, "Ohio has made tremendous progress expanding school choice, but those opportunities mean little if students can't get to school," Troy McIntosh, director of the Christian Education Network, told the Capital Journal.
In other words, there is little disagreement on the transportation front. Lawmakers need to clean up their mess.