Waterford schools cancel bus routes in rotation amid driver shortage; millage back on ballot
Waterford School District began temporarily canceling some bus routes on a rotating basis Monday because it doesn't have enough drivers. Voters decide Nov. 3 on a non-homestead operating millage that failed in August.
By OCJ Staff
Waterford School District began temporarily canceling some bus routes on a rotating basis Monday, Oct. 26, because of a shortage of drivers, FOX 2 Detroit reported.
The district has not said publicly how many routes are affected or how many drivers it needs, according to the station. It posted a rotating cancellation schedule for families.
"Our objective is to keep the route cancellation rotations temporary," the district said in a statement to FOX 2. It said it expects to restore full service as newly hired drivers finish training and routes are adjusted. No end date was given.
Parent Sarah Dalton told the station she has had to rearrange her week because she can't count on her child's bus.
Families should check the district's website and messages for which routes are canceled on a given day.
Millage on the Nov. 3 ballot
Waterford voters will decide Tuesday, Nov. 3, on renewing the district's non-homestead operating millage, which lost by 865 votes in August.
A non-homestead millage is paid by owners of businesses, rental properties and second homes. It does not apply to primary residences.
The ballot question would levy 18 mills from 2026 through 2035, according to the official ballot language. Non-homestead owners now pay about 17.6 mills, WDIV reported.
The official ballot language estimates the millage would raise $17.7 million in 2026. WDIV reported that the district estimates about $500,000 a year; the station did not explain the difference.
District communications director Sarah Davis told WDIV the money pays for operating costs such as teachers, textbooks, technology, special education and core curriculum, as well as bus transportation. She said she knew of no immediate cuts planned if it fails, and the district could return to voters later.
See our Nov. 3 school ballot guide for other districts' questions and our early voting guide for when and where to vote before Election Day.
Sources: FOX 2 Detroit, "Waterford schools temporarily cancels bus routes amid driver shortage" (Oct. 26, 2026, 5:23 p.m.); WDIV/ClickOnDetroit, "Waterford voters to decide fate of non-homestead school millage, similar proposal defeated in August" (Oct. 27, 2026, 7:25 p.m.); Oakland County Clerk's November 2026 proposal list via earlier Journal coverage.