Merrimack Valley’s bus driver shortage grew so dire on Monday that Superintendent Randy Wormald found himself behind the wheel of a van en-route to Loudon.

“We’re paper thin and have everyone driving,” Wormald said. “If I’m driving a van, we’re getting down to the bottom.”

Bus driver shortages have long plagued area schools but have worsened this year in some districts. Merrimack Valley was forced to cancel a bus route Monday after multiple regular drivers were absent, while the Winnisquam Regional School District previously imported bus drivers from New Jersey, according to Wormald.

“I think this is probably the worst year we’ve seen,” Wormald said.

In addition to Wormald, high school Principal Sam York and Assistant Superintendent Catherine Masterson drove buses or vans Monday.

Some relief may be in sight, though. A new support staff contract that Wormald expects will be finalized by the spring will likely increase driver pay, which could ease hiring. In the interim, a cohort of Merrimack Valley educators is in the process of obtaining their bus driver licenses to facilitate field trips.

Jeremy Margolis can be contacted @jmargolis@cmonitor.com.