FRAMINGHAM - Framingham education officials are continuing to develop an in-house school busing system.

The Framingham School Committee met at the Memorial Building on Wednesday, November 20, to hear updates on bus transportation and the city’s transition to an in-house model, which would classify school bus drivers as city employees.

The meeting came amid Framingham’s continued challenges stemming from a bus driver shortage through their vendor for transportation services, NRT Bus, Inc. A total of 53 drivers were available to bring local students to and from classes at the start of the current school year; Framingham Public Schools’ (FPS) contract with NRT calls for 77 drivers to be provided.

Back in March, the School Committee voted to stick with NRT for the 2024-25 school year before moving towards an in-house system that would feature bus drivers as city employees. The current plan is to implement that program at the start of July, coinciding with the beginning of summer programming.

During a presentation provided to the School Committee on Wednesday, FPS officials explained they’ve been working to leverage local and state resources—such as MassHire—to begin the process of finding driver candidates and providing competitive compensation for their services. Executive Director of Finance and Operations for Framingham Public Schools Lincoln Lynch noted that FPS leaders are also speaking with other school districts who have turned to a similar transportation model in order to learn more before they launch one of their own.

“As you can see, we have done a lot of work already,” Lynch said during Wednesday’s meeting.

“I think you have an excited group of district employees that are looking to the future...we’re looking to turn the page come July 1.”

Lynch noted they’re targeting a wage of $35 per hour for these positions, a strategy that was supported by committee member and in-house system advocate Adam Freudberg of District 4 due to previous busing trouble, competition with other local school districts, and the factor of rideshare companies also being in the market for vehicle operators.

The city is looking to advertise a “wide spectrum” of work hours, according to Lynch, with flexible options for those who want to drive on either a full-time or part-time basis.

“We’re ready to work as hard as we can for kids,” Lynch continued.

“What we’re offering now is unacceptable, and there’s still kids that don’t have a ride to school. So, our number one goal is to make sure as many kids as we can get to school next year—not only get to school, but get there on time.”

Freudberg vouched for the school district to get the word out about the in-house system as soon as possible, as residents might be able to assist in recruiting efforts. He brought up the potential for referral bonuses for FPS staff members or other drivers who bring candidates into the in-house system as well.