Rockford Public Schools in Michigan is seeking additional bus drivers as it prepares to begin classes Aug. 24, with fewer drivers than officials say are needed to operate its routes efficiently, reported Fox 17.
According to the news report, the district’s transportation department has 55 drivers but needs at least 60 to adequately serve every route. Transportation Director Matt Puett said via the article that he hopes to hire as many as 10 additional drivers to fill current and future staffing gaps.
All routes will be covered when classes begin, but the shortage has forced the district to consolidate some runs. The changes could add about 10 minutes to each trip, Puett said. “That doesn’t sound like a lot, but for a child, 10 extra minutes on a route seems like a long time to them,” he said via the news report.
Rockford buses reportedly travel more than 4,000 miles each school day. Until more drivers are hired, the district plans to rely on retired drivers and other employees who are qualified to operate buses.
Puett told local news reporters that he will drive when needed, along with two or three district mechanics and members of the transportation department’s office staff. The district is offering a starting wage of $23 an hour. Puett said some potential applicants might be intimidated by the size of a school bus, but modern buses are easier to operate than older models.
The buses have automatic transmissions and adjustable pedals that can move closer to the driver, he said via the report. Nicole Saari, who is beginning her fifth full school year as a Rockford bus driver, also encouraged people to consider applying. Many people incorrectly assume driving a bus is unusually difficult because of the vehicle’s size, she said.
“It’s very simple,” Saari said. “It’s the most fun I’ve ever had as a job.”
Saari said one of the position’s rewards is getting to know students and watching them grow over several school years. The district did not provide a deadline for applications or say how many routes had been consolidated. Officials also did not indicate whether further route changes could be necessary if the department remains short-staffed after classes begin.
Written with the Assistance of AI.
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