With an ongoing shortage of available drivers, the Oconto Falls School District is faced with the possibility it will have to further curtail bus service to its students.
“We have a very tenured team in our transportation group. Two of those folks let me know they plan to retire at the end of the 2023-24 school year,” Superintendent Dean Hess reported to the school board at its Feb. 12 meeting. “It’s important to note that with as few drivers as we have and not having new applicants coming in, that’s going to cause us further challenges.”
Hess said he plan to gather the board’s Transportation Committee within the next 30 days or so to discuss options so the issue can be addressed at the April board meeting.
By state law, school districts are required to transport students who live two miles or more away from school. For many years, Oconto Falls bused everyone, but a couple of years ago, the board was forced to eliminate service to children who live within one mile of school buildings.
“One of the things that I anticipate having a conversation is we’ve been trying to sustain being at the one-mile radius, but I would anticipate we’ll at least have some level of conversation about the two-mile radius,” Hess said. “That’s not something anyone wants to implement, but we continue to reach out to folks and let them know that we need help, in hopes that we can avoid that.”
School districts across the country have experienced trouble finding candidates willing to accept the part-time position driving school buses. Oconto Falls has advertised extensively but without much success. Several coaches and other staff members have voluntarily filled the gap somewhat by obtaining the required license.
People interested in learning more about being a school bus driver can visit ofpanthers.com and look under “Employment Opportunities.”
wbluhm@newmedia-wi.com
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