WALES, Maine — An increasing number of schools across the state are grappling with bus driver shortages, leading to operational challenges and innovative solutions to ensure students' timely transportation to and from school.
RSU 4, covering Litchfield, Sabattus, and Wales, is one such district facing this issue.
Jonathan Varney, the director of operations, said RSU 4 recently faced the setback of having two drivers quit before even starting the job.
With only seven bus drivers navigating the routes, there is a strain to ensure all students reach school punctually while managing the existing routes.
To alleviate the situation, RSU 4 has increased hourly wages to stay competitive in the local job market. Despite this, the district still needs to hire four more drivers to achieve full staffing.
Right now, RSU 4 has two routes down and two consolidated routes.
Until RSU 4 can hire the required number of drivers, the district has implemented a temporary solution by offering free before- and after-school care for affected families.
Superintendent Katy Grondin explains that when a bus goes down, the district provides care for families impacted by the disruption.
Teachers volunteer to supervise the care on an on-call basis, with 10 to 20 students benefiting from the program at each school.
To further assist parents, RSU 4 has extended the hours of the care program.
Other districts are likely to face similar challenges, with some having to shut down or consolidate bus runs because of driver shortages.
The starting pay for school bus drivers in RSU 4 is $25 per hour, including benefits. The district encourages individuals interested in applying for bus driver positions to visit their website and submit an application.