Lassen Union High School District will not provide bus service for Shaffer School next year

According to a Facebook post by Dr. Joshua Blackburn, superintendent/principal Shaffer Elementary School District, the Lassen Union High School District will not provide bus service for Shaffer School students next year. The LUHSD will continue to provide bus transportation this school year per a contractual agreement between the two school districts.

While some parents have expressed concern, about students’ futures and the Lassen County Office of Education’s role in this matter, Patty Gunderson, Lassen County’s superintendent of schools, said her office played no part in this decision.

Gunderson said the LUHSD is unable to find enough qualified bus drivers to continue to provide the service.

She said while LUHSD apparently formally notified Shaffer School of its decision today, there have been discussions between the two districts regarding this development.

She said Shaffer School receives funding for transportation from the state, and Shaffer School Superintendent/Principal Dr. Joshua Blackburn already is working on an alternative plan.

That’s not unusual. She said, for example, Janesville Elementary School provides bus transportation for its own students.

Mark Brewer, Lassen High School’s Superintendent Principal, said his district has a contract to provide bus service for the Shaffer School students this year, but it doesn’t have enough qualified drivers to continue the service next year.

He said Shaffer School was notified the matter would be on the agenda of the LUHSD Board at its April meeting. He also said he sent emails to Shaffer on this subject in April and one in late March.

He said a letter he sent to Shaffer School in April on this topic will be included in the minutes at the school board’s next meeting.

And he said he saw an ad by Shaffer School for bus drivers  that posted today.

Blackburn was in a meeting and not available to offer a comment on this story at deadline.

According to the Blackburn’s Facebook post, “Hey everyone, I want to make sure our community hears this directly from me.

“We were recently notified by Lassen Union High School District that they will be discontinuing transportation services for our students starting in the 2026 to 2027 school year.

“We had been trying to connect and communicate on this, including leaving messages, but just received this formal notice today on May 5, 2026.

“I know this is a big deal. For many of our families, transportation is not just a convenience, it is a necessity.

“Please know this — We are already working on solutions.

“Our goal is simple. We will do everything we can to make sure our students continue to have safe and reliable transportation to and from school. This will likely mean building out and running our own transportation program here at Shaffer. This will take work, planning, and support, but I am confident we will get there.

“We will keep you updated every step of the way as we figure out next steps, timelines, and what this will look like for families.

“If you have questions or concerns, please reach out. We are in this together.”