For nearly two decades, Pam Swanks has seen how growth has impacted how many area districts approach busing their students.

More students might mean purchasing more buses, which in turn means more routes for districts to create. It’s an issue most high-growth districts, such as Dripping Springs ISD and Hays CISD, must face at some point.

Hays CISD is short approximately ten drivers in 2018, said Tim Savoy, HCISD chief communications officer. The shortage is nowhere near the crisis district s...