AUBURN — When the Auburn School Department took back control of school bus drivers in June, the district needed eight more drivers.

It’s a common problem, as a bus driver shortage is a national need, officials said.

Since June, eight new drivers have been hired, several of whom are former drivers who know Auburn’s convoluted routes, the Auburn School Committee was told Wednesday night.

“I’m pleased with that,” said Director of Support Services Billy Hunter, who is overseeing transportation operations.

“We are one driver short right now,” Hunter said. “We’ve had several interviews. We have a limited number of health insurance packages we can offer people.”

Insurance is offered to nine out of 26 drivers; those drivers work 30 hours or more.

No health insurance offer “seems to be our drawback now,” he said.

The last four candidates he interviewed and offered the job turned it down because it did not include health insurance, Hunter said.

School Committee member Brent Bilodeau asked how the district will manage with being one driver short.

Hunter said they have a spare driver/mechanic who can help drive, but with a fleet of 50 buses, “we like to keep him in the garage as much as possible. He’s the guy who does oil changes, changes light bulbs and wipers.”

Meanwhile, Hunter has drawn new bus routes which are now online on the School Department’s website. To be more efficient and save money, the previous routes consolidated some stops. There have been some complaints and calls from parents about that, Hunter said.

School Committee member Bonnie Hayes asked if there will be any children standing on Route 4 waiting for the bus.

Hunter said no.

In high traffic areas, he said, “We go door-to-door. Intown areas we try to pick up like at the corner of Drummond and Vine.”

The buses have GPS onboard. By October, parents will be able to download an app and see where their student’s bus is, Business Manager Jude Cyr said.

Auburn is a challenging school district in which to drive a bus, officials said, partly because of the city’s vast geographical area.

Hayes asked if there would be savings.

Cyr said there wouldn’t.

“We’ll be lucky if we break even,” he said. 

In 2013, the School Committee voted to outsource bus drivers to save money, by no longer offering health insurance. Before then, the School Department provided health insurance to drivers who worked a minimum of 20 hours per week.

But this school year was a rough year. Parents complained that their children stood waiting in the dark for 30 minutes, or were let off at the wrong stop. Teachers had to wait for buses to pick up students, Superintendent Katy Grondin said.

City Councilor Jim Pross said even if the costs are higher, school transportation is an important service to families.

Taking back the hiring of bus drivers “was a great decision,” Pross said.

“I support it 100 percent,” he said. “I just want to make sure that we are keeping the public informed as to the reasons” for any problems or higher costs.”