KENNEBUNK, Maine — RSU 21 — which covers Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, and Arundel — is hosting a hiring event next week, offering potential bus drivers a $5,000 sign-on bonus and benefits to help fill a shortage.
"We've had to charter buses to support us with supplementing transportation for sporting events," Superintendent Dr. Terri Cooper said. "In addition to that, we've had to consolidate some routes to make sure we get students to and from school."
The shortage of bus drivers hit a breaking point throughout the state during the pandemic, and it's forced districts to get more creative to entice new hires.
RSU 21 is offering that $5,000 bonus to new hires who already come with training and a CDL, then $3,000 to new hires who will need training. They're also urging current employees to help find new hires by offering them a $2,000 bonus for any recruit the district does hire.
The bus driver shortage is a problem both the Department of the Secretary of State and lawmakers have tried to tackle through legislation that would adjust the necessary requirements to be a driver, including adjusting the six-month training timeline.
The Department of the Secretary of State says they will have an announcement on that sometime next week, which could help schools with their shortages.
RSU 21's transportation manager, Chris Pasciuto, says right now they're short seven drivers. "[You'd be] helping your community first and foremost in time of need," he said about their upcoming hiring event on May 3-4.
"It's a great time to get full employment that starts at 25 hours. It includes benefits, includes very competitive pay, and the bonus that was already talked about. And it really is quite rewarding to sit there on the bus and listen to some of the kids and converse with them. I know when I have to go out and drive the bus that's the highlight of that is listening to some of the conversations and really just understanding how remarkable some of these students are," Pasciuto said.
RSU 21's two-day hiring event runs from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. There will be breakfast provided between 9 am and 11 am on Wednesday, and lunch provided between 12 pm and 2 pm on Thursday.
The hiring event is happening at the Kennebunk Transportation Hub at 116 York St.
You can also contact Chris Pasciuto at 207-985-2622 to apply or recommend a driver candidate.