“Like many districts across the state, we face challenges in finding individuals who are ready and willing to step into this important role, contributing to an ongoing shortage of qualified bus drivers,” Springfield schools communication specialist Jenna Leinasars said.
For several years, numerous school districts across the region have struggled to hire enough drivers. Ohio law requires bus drivers to hold a commercial driver’s license, so schools are competing with trucking companies, Amazon, FedEx, UPS and the Post Office for the same workers.
Leinasars said Springfield schools transports about 1,400 students each day, split between 29 bus routes and four van routes. But the district only employs 27 drivers at the moment, leading to the doubling up of routes and having other licensed office staff driving buses.
Leinasars said when a route has to be doubled, the transportation department will send out a message via their transportation software to families. This usually results in a schedule adjustment such as a student who is usually picked up at 6:35 a.m. may now be picked up at 6:40 or 6:45 a.m.
Ohio public school districts are legally responsible for transporting students who live within their geography, even if they go to charter or private schools. Springfield district officials say that including 150 students from private schools, their buses take kids to a total of 33 different schools, complicating the routes.
Leinasars said Monday’s cancellation was a result of only three drivers calling in sick. The last time Springfield canceled school due to a driver shortage was Feb. 13.
The district made Monday’s closing announcement on social media and via other means around 6 a.m. Officials apologized for the inconvenience, and said all activities, practices, games, and events would be held as scheduled, with one exception. The All City Orchestra Concert scheduled for Monday night at the John Legend Theater was postponed because the middle and high school students were supposed to have rehearsals during the school day Monday.
Springfield schools are also in the middle of the annual state testing window, so Monday’s cancellation required rescheduling students’ days this week for testing.
The transportation department currently has three open position for bus drivers, two of which are because of retirements.
“Serving as a school bus driver with the Springfield City School District is an immensely rewarding role, centered on safely transporting our most precious passengers — our students,“ Leinasars said. ”Although the position requires following specialized safety procedures and regulations beyond those of typical cargo driving, this emphasis on protecting student well-being highlights the indispensable nature of the job."
District officials said in an effort to fill its open positions, Springfield City Schools offers comprehensive training and covers the costs for drivers to earn a CDL license.
Springfield schools were back in session Tuesday. People interested in applying for a bus driver job can go to www.scsdoh.org/page/employment-opportunities.
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