School districts looking for more bus drivers this year

WASHINGTON - With the COVID-19 pandemic ongoing, schools are struggling to fill positions for bus drivers, as well as finding substitutes in case of the need to quarantine.

Many superintendents said this is a common problem every year, but this year in particular, it is harder with the need for substitutes in case drivers need to quarantine or are sick.

The Mid-Prairie school district has one route needing a driver as well as many substitutes.

Superintendent Mark Schneider said it is a challenge because the drivers need a special license as well as training.

The pandemic puts more strain on bus drivers, and Schneider said many of the drivers are retired individuals, which puts them at a higher risk for infection.

At the beginning of the year, the school had a few bus drivers resign due to the school's decision to return to in-person instruction.

Schneider said they put an ad on Facebook and anticipate having all of the routes filled.

The Highland Community School District is feeling the same pressure.

Superintendent Ken Crawford said they are looking for and talking to as many people as possible to find more drivers.

Three more drivers would be fantastic, Crawford said. This would fill the need for driving routes, substitutes and other events.

The Washington Community School District has all of its routes full but are short on substitutes.

Throughout the year they run ads and do as much as they can to find more drivers, Superintendent Willie Stone.

Stone said the school has been able to have enough drivers for extracurricular activities, but those numbers are starting to run thin.