LOUISVILLE, KY – Across the nation, school districts have been struggling with extreme shortages of bus drivers. Jefferson County Public Schools is certainly no stranger to this struggle. Earlier this year, the district announced pay raises as an attempt to attract more drivers and keep them on the job longer. Starting pay with JCPS as a driver now sits at $20.75, compared to a national average last year of $16.90 (according to ABC News).
According to JCPS, the ‘Hail Mary’ worked. JCPS Director of Transportation Randy Frantz told WHAS11 that the district is no longer short drivers.
“School bus shortage is a national problem,” Frantz said. “We’re very fortunate. We’re here to report we’re not experiencing a shortage… I believe we have the current ingredients to attract new employees, and most important is the ingredient of being able to make a difference in a kid’s life. “
Still, the district knows the pains of driver shortage, and it doesn’t want to go back. Frantz said JCPS will hold job fairs three times per year to recruit new applicants, so there are always plenty of drivers at hand. The next job fair is Wednesday, November 14, 2018 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM in the C.B. Young Jr. Building at 3001 Crittenden Drive.
Interested applicants need to be at least 21 years old, have a driver license, and be able to pass a drug and background check. A commercial driver license is not necessary; after being hired, JCPS offers all necessary training.
►Contact reporter Rob Harris at rjharris@whas11.com. Follow him on Twitter (@robharristv) and Facebook.