WORCESTER, Mass. - A breach of contract notice is being sent to Durham School Services, after the bus company didn’t have enough drivers ready for Worcester's return to hybrid learning last month.

According to school committee members, there were more than 30 fewer buses than expected on March 29.

A School Committee subcommittee voted in favor of the city solicitor sending the notice 2-1 on Monday night. 

School Committee member Molly McCullough says the letter is meant to get a legal opinion and start a conversation between Durham and the school committee.

McCullough says they know the drivers are working hard, but the bus company mainly talks with administration and then the school committee is left to make decisions regarding contracts and any difficulties

"Doing it in this way, where we're looking at the fact we were paying partial payment for 138 buses and or drivers throughout this whole time and we are at 102. It definitely raises some concern and it's something we should be looking at,” McCullough said. “We have a fiduciary responsibility to do that and we also have a responsibility to our students and families."

As far as when students in grades K to 8 return to full time-in person learning on May 3, McCullough says Durham and the school district are working together to figure out options like subcontracting other bus companies if they are concerned about a bus shortage.