After facing a shortage of bus drivers at the beginning of the school year, the Indian River School District says it once again needs more bus drivers to cover routes.
Indian River District is currently six drivers short, but needs more than 10 to cover routes and substitute positions.
Transportation Analyst Tyler Bryan says substitute drivers and district employees have been helping the students get to and from school on time, but he’s worried about how the shortage will affect the district this spring when students are busier and drivers are needed to cover additional things, like field trips and sports.
“That all becomes in jeopardy when we don’t have enough people to fill the seats to cover all of our sports and athletic schedules along with getting kids to and from school each day,” Bryan said.
He continued, “It’s concerning how we’re going to juggle both in the spring, so that’s why it would be very important for us to find some new applicants.”
Bryan said the shortage became apparent in the beginning of February when some drivers left for new jobs and others came down with the flu.
Delaware bus drivers must have a Commercial Driver’s License, which can take a couple of months to get.
Bryan says about five drivers are in that pipeline.
Those interested in applying to be a bus driver with the Indian River District can contact Tyler Bryan in the district's transportation office, at 302-436-1000 Ext. 1114 or at tyler.bryan@irsd.k12.de.us.
Delaware as a whole has seen high turnover among school bus drivers, citing low pay and split shifts as reasons why.
