Tomball and Magnolia ISDs have been challenged by the number of vacancies this fall in support staff positions, such as bus drivers, custodians and food service technicians, to start the 2021-22 academic year. TISD Chief Operating Officer Steven Gutierrez said the district prides itself on providing excellent services, but it has not been able to meet those standards so far this year.
“We’ve been certainly compromised on our ability to execute on that due to staffing shortages,” Gutierrez said.
As of Oct. 19, TISD had 25 open positions for bus drivers, 25 openings for food service workers and 15 vacancies for custodians, Gutierrez said. To make up for fewer bus drivers, Gutierrez said the district has adjusted routes and schedules, but there have occasionally been late buses in the morning.
“You cannot hide the fact that we’re 25 bus drivers short,” Gutierrez said.
