Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker is activating the National Guard to help get students to school in areas hit hardest by the shortage of bus drivers.
Baker's office announced Monday that 90 members of the guard will train to operate ten-passenger vans and be dispatched to Chelsea, Lawrence, Lowell, and Lynn, all cities that have reached out to the state for help with school transportation.
Baker's order makes up to 250 Guard personnel available in total and is a response to "requests from local communities for assistance with school transportation as the 2021-2022 school year gets underway in the Commonwealth," according to a statement from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.
The newly-minted drivers will complete operational training on specific vehicles to meet legal requirements for student transportation.
The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security said the mission to help out struggling school districts with transportation staffing shortages will not interfere with the Guard's ability to respond to emergencies in the state.
