Minnesota's largest school bus fleet struggles: Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan shifts start times

The Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school district, which operates Minnesota's largest district-owned bus fleet, is taking drastic action to manage an ongoing driver shortage. On Monday, the school board approved transportation changes that will alter start times at five schools: Woodland and East Lake Elementary Schools, Valley Middle School of STEM, School of Environmental Studies, and Area Learning Center. Some start times will shift by nearly two hours, forcing families to overhaul morning routines and childcare arrangements. The crisis reflects a nationwide struggle. District 196 transports more than 22,000 students daily using 220 district-owned buses, but insufficient drivers have led to frequent route cancellations and delays throughout the 2025-26 school year. District leaders say the shortage stems from an aging workforce, illness, and staffing challenges compounded by a national driver shortage affecting schools across the country. The transportation department acknowledged the disruption families have endured and determined that structural changes were necessary to improve service reliability. Beyond start time adjustments, the district is implementing an opt-in transportation model, reducing magnet school bus service, and revising early childhood program locations. Parents have pushed back, with East Lake Elementary families particularly vocal about the sudden changes announced late last week before Monday's board vote. Some expressed concern that the district did not fully explore alternative solutions before making such sweeping decisions. The approved changes will take effect next school year. District officials say the modifications are intended to optimize routes and make service more predictable for the 22,000-plus students who depend on District 196's buses each day. Mike Turitto, the district's Coordinator of Transportation, can be reached at 651-423-7685 for questions about the new policies.