A recent news item relates a problem we are not currently facing at USD 378. We are fortunate to have all our routes with full-time drivers. But, if you are interested in becoming a substitute driver please contact David VanBebber at dvanbebber@usd378.org.
TOPEKA, Kan (WIBW) --- The school year started two months ago, but school districts across the state still are looking for bus drivers.
"Here's the unfortunate reality, across the country right now there are just simply not enough bus drivers that are accepting the need. Supply and demand is just not there at the current time,” USD 437 Superintended Scott McWilliams said.
McWilliams believes the unusual schedule of a bus driver can both drive people toward the job and steer them away.
"So you work early in the morning for two to three hours for the morning route, and then you have some time off. And then you have to come back into the workplace. And then you have to do another run in the afternoon after school for another two to three hours,” he said
McWilliams says his district has more than 60 routes. Due to the lack of drivers they've relied on existing staff.
"So instead of doing a job as custodial services for example they might give up a little bit of their time in the building doing some work, so that they can take a route for us,” he explained.