BOISE, Idaho —
As faculty prepare for their students' return to the classroom, school districts all over the Gem State are working to fill staff positions necessary for smooth operations - and one department impacted by excessive vacancies? Transportation.
The Boise School District (BSD) operates by contracting out a third-party school bus service - Durham School Services. Gary Hendrickson, manager for the company, said the school bus driver shortage has shown significant improvement than last school year.
"Last year at this time, there were job postings everywhere. This year, it has settled itself," Hendrickson recalled. And bus drivers are grateful for the relief.
It's the first face students see at the beginning and the end of each school day. "I enjoy it every single day that I go out there," said Rachel Suchan, school bus driver for BSD. "I love all of them." While enjoyable most of the time, Suchan said that being a bus driver isn't always easy, especially with the added pressure of staffing shortages.
"It was hard on me; it was hard on everybody. We had to do double runs because everyone needed to make sure that the kids make it to school safe, and that they have the ride that is promised to them - to and from school," Suchan said. "This year, knowing that we have more drivers, the stress is coming off people's shoulders. So, we can start fresh at the beginning of the year."
When asked how the driver shortage issue has gotten better, Hendrickson responded, "wages."
The goal is not to simply fill the positions, but to find and employ drivers who can work well with students, while maintaining superior safety standards. With better wages, Durham School Services can hire better drivers, maintain greater retention and have fewer traffic violations.
"Safety is a big priority for parents, the district and the bus service. In 2021, there were 500 documented violations. In the 2022-2023 school year, there were 710 violations. That's a 210 difference...that's what scares me the most. It's unacceptable," Hendrickson stated. "Kids are kids. It's tough sometimes. So, you need to have a person with that demeanor - someone who can take care of the roads and the students."
Hendrickson said that although the bus driver shortage is getting better, Durham School Services is still seeking to hire more drivers to help pack the team.
Hendrickson elaborated on the shift between last school year and the upcoming. "Our goal in a perfect world would be to have 120 drivers and 50 monitors. Right now, we have 111 to 112 drivers, so we are doing really good."
While driver shortage concerns ease up for Boise School District, West Ada School District (WASD) rolled out a new bus-tracking tool for parents. WASD, along with Cascade Student Transportation, released an app following the whereabouts of busses transporting students.
"Now this gives parents the power and ability really to manage their own schedule, answer their own questions and really plan their day better," said WASD Chief Operating Officer David Reinhart. "Our students are really our most precious people in our district, as they are to their parents. Everything we can do to protect them and give parents information, we will do."
The new feature provides parents a portal to submit help desk tickets for bus service information, concerns and updates regarding transportation. The tool can be accessed on West Ada School District's website here.
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