Picture yourself behind the wheel of a big yellow school bus

It takes lots of great people to make school run smoothly for kids, families and staff, and one of those people is a school bus driver.

Have you ever pictured yourself behind the wheel of a yellow school bus? Well, on Saturday, April 6, from 8-10 a.m., that dream can become a reality.

On Saturday, from 8:00-10:00 a.m., we're closing off the parking lot at the Junior/Senior High School, and we're inviting members of the public (18 years old with a valid standard driver's license, no CDL or any other license necessary) to come in and take a lap or two around the parking lot, driving one of our school buses.

You'll be with a licensed bus driver in an empty bus in an empty parking lot. Our hope is to spark some interest among community members to consider pursuing their bus driving license and helping the district with the really important job of transporting students.

During your "test laps“ you can get a feel for the size of the bus when you're in the driver's seat and how our new buses turn, stop and accelerate.

You'll see what it's like to back up a bus, if you'd like, and you can talk to a bus driver about the challenges that go along with the job, and hopefully, some of the things they enjoy about it, as well.

Does the district need bus drivers? We do! Currently all bus routes are covered, but we are always looking for substitutes to drive a morning or (especially) afternoon bus route.

We're also always looking for drivers to help with activities and trips our students take, whether that be a field trip or a music event or a sporting event.

Some drivers help out because they are going to their child's activity anyway, so they figure they could get paid to drive there, to watch the event, and to drive home. Drivers are "on the clock" for the entire trip.

How much training is needed to get a license?

The National Transportation Safety Board recently increased the formal training and preparation needed to get a school bus license. We work with Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge to help drivers prepare.

ICCC has a course that is made up of a series of online videos and quizzes that help drivers prepare for the testing that is required.

You can take those from home, or you could come to school and use a computer here.

Our drivers then spend two separate days in Fort Dodge completing the program in a face-to-face class, and then taking the required tests.

What does the training cost me?

The district pays the cost of the training, as well as a $600 stipend to the driver once the tests are passed and a driver is licensed and can start driving for the district.

The driver pays the cost of updating their driver's license and for a physical.

What if you already have a CDL?

That's great! That shortens up the number of modules needed to get to the point where you are ready to test.

Do I have to commit to driving everyday?

You do not. Drivers sign up for trips as their schedules permit, and we call drivers to substitute. If they can fit it into their schedule, they do. If it doesn't fit their schedule, they simply tell us no.

As a driver of activities and substitute routes, your schedule is fairly flexible. Contracted route drivers need to be available every day, morning and afternoon. Activity drivers and substitutes have a lot more flexibility.

What are the buses like?

All of our buses are automatics with power steering. They have air breaks that help decrease stopping distance.

Many of our buses have interior and exterior cameras on them. Most have air ride driver's seats to increase the comfort of the ride for the driver.

Many of our buses use propane as fuel. And if you're not sure about fueling a propane-powered bus, we have people who can help you with that.

Often those activity buses are fueled up before the trip.

What's my responsibility for handling student behavior as a bus driver?

As a route substitute, you are the only adult on the bus, and so you enforce the rules of the bus. Drivers work with our building principals for student discipline.

On activity trips, the driver enforces the rules of the bus, but a coach or teacher is also on the bus to supervise kids' behavior.

What is the pay?

The district currently pays $16/hour for activity trips and $68/day for substituting on bus routes. The position is an IPERS (Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System) contributing position.

Driving a school bus filled with students is a challenging job, and it can also be rewarding. Our route bus drivers are the first face of school our kids see in the morning, and the last impression they have of school at night.

Our activity drivers are taking kids on trips that some will remember for a lifetime.