School bus crisis hits home, COVID not only to blame

[ad_1]

MERCER COUNTY, W. Va. (WVVA) – School bus drivers are in high demand right now – retired KD school driver Hill tells WVVA the pandemic bears some of the blame, but not all.

“Money issues, as well as security issues and drugs probably play a role, a major role,” he said.

Hill says people don’t want to give up their lifestyle choices to be accused of driving students to and from school.

“And that’s about the problem that we can’t take more than an aspirin,” he said.

Amy Harrison of Mercer County Schools says turnover is not that high, but many area bus drivers have retired and replacement candidates are scarce.

She says last year – in the midst of the pandemic – children had to be socially estranged from each other.

Harrison is the Data and Information Specialist for Mercer County Schools.

“So that caused a problem, we also needed extra buses, extra trips, extra drivers,” she said.

This year is different.

“We’re going back to normal bus trips, that should help,” Harrison said. “Plus our main issue is replacement bus drivers.”

Mercer County Schools Transportation Director Oka Booth said West Virginia has one of the most stringent requirements for drivers in the United States.

“There are candidates there, but you have to understand that we carry people’s children, so we can’t just put just anybody on the bus.

“You must pass a background check, you must pass a blood alcohol test, you must have a Class B certification CDL license, and you must have pastor’s approval.”

If you can pass the long demands, there are a lot of benefits, according to Booth.

Bus drivers only work 10 months a year – no weekend work unless you choose to take overtime and usually when the weather is bad the drivers stay home.

Former bus driver Anthony Dishner – now full-time says he’s held up for the benefits – but it would be nice to have more replacement drivers – COVID-19 hasn’t added more work for the drivers.

“That’s not a lot more to cover for COVID and the things we need to do,” he said.

Dishner says the most important requirement is to enjoy working with children.

If you think you have what it takes to be a school bus driver, the application can be completed online by clicking here.

[ad_2]