The Utica School District has asked Gov. Hochul to call on the National Guard for help. The announcement was made at a school board meeting by Superintendent Bruce Karam.

The call for additional aid comes after 13 drivers of the Durham Bus Service walked out due to delayed pay and the work environment. As a result, they were terminated. 

Parents and children have been pleading with the school district to solve the issue since the beginning of the year. One parent says they need all the man power and to hire the bus drivers back and utilize the national guard. 

“We are operating in code red as the school board said themselves. We cannot spare any man power. We don’t have drivers. It’s my understanding [the] Utica School District in general needs between 120-130 drivers on a daily basis. Right now, we are operating close to 60," said Jasna Ferkic, a parent in the district.