Like many other Montana school districts, Laurel schools could use a
few additional bus drivers. To help fix the problem, Laurel school
administrators have come up with novel methods to add to their bus
driver ranks.
They parked a school bus downtown with a sign indicating that new bus drivers will be trained to secure their commercial driver’s license and other needed endorsements.
Last week, they held a training event that included a talk about the need for drivers and a discussion on the rewards of driving a bus and helping students. After they were done indoors, school authorities gave participants the keys to assembled buses and told them to take the big yellow rigs out for a spin. They did so — but only in the parking lot, and under strict supervision.
So far, few new drivers have signed up, even though the district offers them training to secure needed licenses and endorsements. But Laurel School Superintendent Tim Bronk figures the more he talks about the need, the likelier it is that a driver or two will step forward.
“It’s fun to work with kids. I’d encourage people to consider it,” said Bronk, who himself has — as have other Laurel school administrators — taken to driving a school bus on occasion when needed.
This school year, the need is more acute than in past years, Bronk said. People who hold a commercial driver’s license can make much more money in the Bakken than they can driving a school bus, he said. Full-time drivers often work a split shift, early in the morning and then again after school. Trips can be long, late — and are sometimes punctuated by bad weather, student upheavals and the random deer crossing the road.
Then there are the requirements. Drivers must hold a CDL and a passenger endorsement. They must be certified with air brakes and hold cards that prove their first aid and CPR training. The district can train prospective drivers and help them acquire all the needed certification, Bronk said.
In Laurel, school bus drivers start at more than $13 per hour. They make a little less if they’re driving students to activities, since they get paid for the entire time they’re out — even for their time waiting during the game, performance or other activity.
The district has about 23 buses, with eight full-time drivers and a number of substitute drivers. One substitute driver’s life situation is illustrative: Bronk said one driver’s last day was Friday because she’s a snowbird who winters in Texas. “She’s a great driver,” Bronk said, and he’s hoping someone will fill in for her.
Schedulers try to be creative to make up for the shortage of drivers. A few routes have been combined. Laurel middle school wrestlers sometimes ride to meets with their counterparts from Columbus.
“We have been fortunate enough to juggle things around in order to get students to all their activities,” Bronk said. “We are OK so far, but we have had to double things up. If we could get four or five drivers, we’d be fine. But if we get just one person (as a result of the publicity), I’d be happy. There is opportunity here for someone who is interested.”
To learn more about school bus driver positions in Laurel, visit the district’s website, www.laurel.k12.mt.us/Page/1. Or call the district at 406-628-8623.
They parked a school bus downtown with a sign indicating that new bus drivers will be trained to secure their commercial driver’s license and other needed endorsements.
Last week, they held a training event that included a talk about the need for drivers and a discussion on the rewards of driving a bus and helping students. After they were done indoors, school authorities gave participants the keys to assembled buses and told them to take the big yellow rigs out for a spin. They did so — but only in the parking lot, and under strict supervision.
So far, few new drivers have signed up, even though the district offers them training to secure needed licenses and endorsements. But Laurel School Superintendent Tim Bronk figures the more he talks about the need, the likelier it is that a driver or two will step forward.
“It’s fun to work with kids. I’d encourage people to consider it,” said Bronk, who himself has — as have other Laurel school administrators — taken to driving a school bus on occasion when needed.
This school year, the need is more acute than in past years, Bronk said. People who hold a commercial driver’s license can make much more money in the Bakken than they can driving a school bus, he said. Full-time drivers often work a split shift, early in the morning and then again after school. Trips can be long, late — and are sometimes punctuated by bad weather, student upheavals and the random deer crossing the road.
Then there are the requirements. Drivers must hold a CDL and a passenger endorsement. They must be certified with air brakes and hold cards that prove their first aid and CPR training. The district can train prospective drivers and help them acquire all the needed certification, Bronk said.
In Laurel, school bus drivers start at more than $13 per hour. They make a little less if they’re driving students to activities, since they get paid for the entire time they’re out — even for their time waiting during the game, performance or other activity.
The district has about 23 buses, with eight full-time drivers and a number of substitute drivers. One substitute driver’s life situation is illustrative: Bronk said one driver’s last day was Friday because she’s a snowbird who winters in Texas. “She’s a great driver,” Bronk said, and he’s hoping someone will fill in for her.
Schedulers try to be creative to make up for the shortage of drivers. A few routes have been combined. Laurel middle school wrestlers sometimes ride to meets with their counterparts from Columbus.
“We have been fortunate enough to juggle things around in order to get students to all their activities,” Bronk said. “We are OK so far, but we have had to double things up. If we could get four or five drivers, we’d be fine. But if we get just one person (as a result of the publicity), I’d be happy. There is opportunity here for someone who is interested.”
To learn more about school bus driver positions in Laurel, visit the district’s website, www.laurel.k12.mt.us/Page/1. Or call the district at 406-628-8623.
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