Bus drivers needed

Feb. 26—LIMA — The bus driver shortage is wearing on school districts and parents locally, throughout Ohio and across the nation. Ohio has even considered having the National Guard step in to drive buses. Massachusetts brought in the National Guard to drive students to school there. Gov. Mike DeWine has said that it's a possibility that could happen here in Ohio as well. The Governor commented that "one thing is for sure; drivers are desperately needed."

Kelly Schooler, Perry Local Schools Superintendent commented about the bus driver shortage, "We certainly are not immune to the nation's bus driver shortage. We are fortunate to have bus drivers who have strong work values and pride in their profession. Our bus drivers work with us to help recruit sub-drivers. We've also greatly benefited from employees in other departments willing to step up and become trained to drive a bus. We've been lucky to have retired bus drivers answering our call for help, too. Perry Township employees are always willing to help us mind the gap, too. They certainly have saved us on multiple occasions.

"We are constantly seeking creative solutions to the driver shortage including working with other districts. This year the multiple strategy approach and efforts are paying off. We have drastically decreased our holds, and we are regaining a sense of reliable drop and pick-up times. We are thankful for the support we've received from our entire school community. We couldn't have made this much progress without everybody pulling together," Schooler said.

At Elida Local Schools, Superintendent Joel Mengerink echoed the point, "At this point in time, we aren't short any drivers but we also don't have any extra. We currently have two drivers out for medical reasons so the subs that we do have are filling in for them. Upon their return, we will have two sub drivers, but we are also expecting one driver to retire in the next month or two. On top of this, our mechanic and transportation supervisor have regularly had to drive routes this year to fill in for absent drivers."

While Ohio has temporarily relaxed its standards for substitute teachers — a high school diploma is OK, rather than the previously required college degree — the standard for being a bus driver in Ohio has not changed, according to the Ohio Department of Education. Districts can eliminate high school busing or shut down routes that are closer than two miles from school, and run buses on more shifts — meaning drivers would do four or five trips in both the morning and afternoon. Since Ohio law requires public schools to transport all eligible students — their own as well as private and charter school students, Ohio does more bus service than any other state. Some districts are making alternative plans to get kids to school.

Mike Bosch, Director of Transportation at Shawnee Local School District, said, "We have only had a couple days where we have had to alter routes to make sure all students were picked up for school. There are also some instances where we have had to or may have to delay the transportation of some of our athletic teams due to a lack of available drivers. We would certainly welcome more drivers — there is definitely a need."

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Education (Department), that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is giving states the option of waiving the portion of the commercial driver's license (CDL) skills test that requires applicants to identify the "under the hood" engine components. All other components of the written and road test will remain. "This federal waiver will help states that are short on bus drivers," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "By allowing states to focus on the testing requirements that are critical to safety, we will get additional, qualified drivers behind the wheel to get kids to school safely."

Drivers receiving a CDL under this temporary waiver are permitted to operate intrastate school buses only; they are not authorized to operate trucks, motor coaches, or any other type of commercial motor vehicle requiring a CDL. The FMCSA waiver, which became effective Jan. 3, 2022, expires March 31, 2022.

"This Administration is listening to the needs of school communities and remains committed to making sure schools are open safely for in-person learning full time," said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. "We've heard from educators and parents that labor shortages, particularly of bus drivers, are a roadblock to keeping kids in schools. Today's announcement will give states the flexibility they need to help increase the pool of drivers, who are a key part of the school community, and get kids to school safely each day where students learn best."

However, one does not just show up to drive. There is a lengthy process to become a bus driver. There is a 30-item checklist that needs completed before becoming a bus driver at Shawnee. An applicant must go to the license bureau and take four tests: general knowledge test, air brakes test, passenger test and school bus test. Then they are qualified for pre-service training. After that they are ready for a minimum 12-hour training with an On Board Instructor (OBI). At Shawnee, Mike Bosch and Dennis Foxvog, the bus mechanic, can serve as On Board Instructors.

Once they feel that applicants are ready to take their driving test, they are sent to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), where applicants pay for a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) test. Then it's off to Findlay. Three tests are scheduled in Findlay. The applicants take a free trip, a maneuverability test, and a road test. As long as the first test is passed, applicants can move on to the next test. If the second test is passed, then they can take the third. Once all tests are passed, they can pay for their license. Then at Shawnee, prospective drivers are put on a bus with a driver for two days on the bus with another driver to watch and observe. Then the next two days, roles are reversed with the prospective driver behind the wheel with students on the bus. At some point along the line, a driver will be recommended to the school board. Normally the training could last about six weeks.

Bosch says, "I've had two people come in asking about the banner we have on the fence. One works and the other didn't get through the background check. It's a process. A lot of people come in here and look at some of the requirements and shy away. Some of them get through it. So every district is different. Once they are a contracted driver and get a contracted route and they are here for one year, I think the reimbursement now is $250."

Shawnee Local School District Superintendent Jude Meyers summed up the importance of bus drivers, "I think drivers are underappreciated because without those folks getting our kids to school, we don't have school. Kudos to the transportation staff."