COLUMBUS, Ohio — Summer is almost over for students at Columbus City Schools.
Next Thursday, students will head back to the classroom. A lot of those students rely on the districts buses to get them to and from their school.
Since the pandemic, districts have struggled to hire bus drivers. But this year, CCS said it’s not a problem. The district said they have 465 bus drivers, 37 bus drivers in training and 25 supervisors ready to go for this school year.
“These are critical jobs. The lives of our children are in the hands of our bus drivers. So, we aren’t just looking for anyone to build these jobs, we are looking for the best and the brightest,” said Courtney Hale, executive director of talent management at CCS.
Hale said the district started waiving the $46 background fee for applicants and that has made all difference in recruiting.
“We started to realize for some, that $46 is absolutely a barrier to employment. So us saying we need you, we are saying it not only verbally but in action,” she said.
Hale said at recruitment events in the past the district got a lot of people to attend but people would fall out of the hiring process.
“We heard the voice of the people. They said, ‘Hey I have to choose between this or you know paying for my light bill or feeding my children,” said Hale.
Hale acknowledges the district has felt the bus driver shortage in the past, but she said now they are ready for this year.
“Bus drivers are really considered the first teacher our students interact with. Most people think the school day starts when they walk through the doors of the classroom, but really first start of their day, is when they step on the bus.” Said Hale.
The district is still hiring bus drivers. You can apply here or visit Muller transportation from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to learn more about the position.