ARKANSAS, USA — Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, school districts across the country have dealt with bus driver shortages.
In previous years, districts in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley have had to cut routes due to a lack of drivers.
Springdale and Rogers went back to school this week, and leaders at both schools said that’s not quite the case this year, but they are still in need of more drivers.
At Springdale, while all routes are staffed, Communications Director Trent Jones said the district needs 5 to 10 more bus drivers this year.
“I think it's really important to note that our bus drivers set the tone in the community,” Jones said. “It's the first face you see and it's the last face you see as a student, so [it’s] having that opportunity to open that door, be a welcoming person and invite them to come on in.”
In Rogers, Superintendent Jeff Perry said many of the people the schools depended on for decades were retired people who stopped driving during COVID due to health concerns and haven't returned.
He said the district has worked to improve salary, benefits, and work environment for these positions and will continue to do so.
“I think the ability to find somebody that can work in the morning for a couple hours and then come back and work a couple hours at the end of the day, that just really cuts up your day,” Perry said. “That is one of the most challenging pieces that we find, and so we continue to recruit, we continue to look for individuals, [and] we continue to talk with state legislators about creating some opportunities for that to become better.”
Perry added he thinks this will continue to be a challenge, and districts will have to continue to adapt.
Leaders from Fayetteville and Bentonville Schools said they are fully staffed with bus drivers and in good shape for this school year.
The Fort Smith district said all routes are covered, but the transportation department could use a few more substitute drivers.
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