Durham School Services informed the state Department of Labor that it plans to lay off 111 employees in Wallingford effective June 30, as the district switches to a new school bus transportation provider.
On May 19, Durham filed a WARN report starting that the district had signed an agreement with a new company beginning July 1. Durham said that although it didn’t have an agreement to cease its current contract, it was announcing the anticipated separations.
Durhman told employees whose positions were being eliminated that the layoffs were expected to be permanent.
“We anticipate that many of the affected employees may become employed by the new school bus transportation provided for the district,” the notice states.
The layoffs include 52 drivers, 23 non-CDL drivers, 17 bus assistants, six casual drivers and five drivers-in-training.
Specialty Transportation will become the district’s provider for in-district transportation beginning July 1.
Durham’s spokesperson said the company’s contract with Wallingford Schools is coming to a close at the end of the month and a new bus company is taking over the routes. He said when a new company takes over routes, it is customary for those drivers to interview with the new company to continue driving the routes for a new employer.
