Marlborough schools send NRT formal noncompliance notice over driver shortage

MARLBOROUGH — October 24, 2023 — Marlborough sends formal noncompliance notice to bus contractor NRT over chronic driver shortage. Chief Operating Officer Doug LaFleur told the School Committee Tuesday that the district's outside attorney delivered a letter giving NRT 10 days to respond, while five driver applicants have been forwarded to the company and Human Resources Director Patty Brown has joined recruiting efforts. LaFleur said a Teamsters contract clause letting drivers "own" routes prevents the district from rotating disruptions, leaving the same students stranded daily. He also warned of a 4.69 percent state-authorized fiscal 2025 special education tuition increase that translates to roughly $200,000 in added costs, or $325,000 if collaboratives follow suit, with circuit breaker reimbursement lagging a year behind. The committee unanimously approved Superintendent Mary Murphy's fiscal 2024 goals, a 2025 music department trip to Pennsylvania, fiscal 2024 budget transfers and a $28 Shaw's donation to Richer Elementary.