Sentinel photo by LIV SUYDAM
A school bus leaves Mifflin County High School on its daily evening route.

LEWISTOWN — Seventy school bus drivers and staff members are expected to lose their jobs on June 30 when Krise Transportation ends operations at two Mifflin County locations, according to a state-mandated Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification notice filed this week.

The layoffs affect 50 employees at the company’s Lewistown facility on School Bus Lane and 20 workers at its Milroy location on Commerce Drive. The job cuts come as Krise’s contract with Mifflin County School District expires without renewal.

Krise Transportation President Michael Massaro said the company continues working with the district to negotiate a new agreement.

“We are currently contracted to provide student transportation services for Mifflin Country schools. Our current contract expires on June 30. We are actively working with the district to renew the contract but have not come to terms. As such, we provided the state, required local officials, and our employees, with a conditional WARN Act notice in the case that we are not able to renew our contract. We are working closely with the school district and our employees and hope to continue operations in the county,” Massaro said in a public statement.

The situation developed after five other bus contractors agreed to new 5-year contracts with the district, while Krise remained the sole holdout. This prompted the district to issue a request for proposals for Krise’s current bus routes.

Mifflin County School District officials plan to select a new contractor by late May to take over these routes. The district has not released details about the contract terms or why negotiations with Krise stalled.

The layoffs create uncertainty for dozens of local families, even as Krise maintains a significant presence across Pennsylvania. The company serves approximately 30 school districts statewide and recently secured contracts with Penn Hills and Northampton Area school districts.

But Krise also faces challenges beyond Mifflin County. The company recently lost its contract with Jim Thorpe Area School District to competitor Rohrer Bus, sparking concerns among drivers who preferred working for Krise.

Founded in 2016, Krise Transportation grew into a major player in Pennsylvania’s student transportation sector. The pending job cuts represent a significant shift in Mifflin County’s school transportation landscape, where many drivers have built relationships with students and families over years of service.

The layoffs highlight broader changes in school transportation contracting, where districts must balance cost considerations with service reliability and workforce stability. As districts across Pennsylvania grapple with budget constraints, transportation contracts face increased scrutiny.

Despite the looming cuts, Krise continues advertising for bus driver positions in other Pennsylvania locations, suggesting the company maintains growth plans outside Mifflin County.

The WARN Act requires employers to provide 60 days’ notice before large-scale layoffs, giving workers time to seek new employment and adjust to job losses.

For affected employees, options may include applying with the new contractor selected by the district or seeking positions with other school bus operators in the region. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry offers resources for displaced workers, including job search assistance and retraining programs.

The Mifflin County School District serves over 4,800 students across multiple municipalities, requiring extensive daily transportation services. The district has not announced how the transition between contractors will proceed or what measures will ensure continuous service when classes resume in August.

This shift in transportation services adds another layer of complexity to school operations as districts nationwide cope with ongoing driver shortages and rising operational costs.

The impact extends beyond the 70 employees facing layoffs. Bus drivers often serve as morning and afternoon constants in students’ lives, creating stability through familiar faces and routines. Any transition between contractors requires careful planning to reduce disruption to these established patterns.

School officials face pressure to maintain service quality while managing taxpayer resources responsibly. The district’s decision to seek new bids after failing to reach terms with Krise reflects this balance between fiscal responsibility and operational needs.

As the May deadline for selecting a new contractor approaches, questions remain about the future of student transportation in Mifflin County. The district must ensure adequate coverage for all routes while maintaining state-mandated safety standards and service levels.

When contacted, Mifflin County School District Superintendent Vance Varner denied comment.