INDIANAPOLIS — The start of school is just around the corner, and many schools across Indiana are in need of bus drivers.
"Bus driving is not all that hard, I mean it's a lot of mental stuff and you have to be able to see and hear things that you don't actually see and hear," Sean Jones who has been driving for Beech Grove City Schools for 29 years said.
Schools from Carmel to Beech Grove are searching for people to step up and drive.
"It's not an ideal situation, it's not something that we want," Tom Gearhart with Beech Grove City Schools said.
It's a need that has been ongoing for several years.
Beech Grove needs two drivers to make their fleet complete, until then they are making due by pulling administrators to drive routes.
"That has a domino effect because then our office is empty," Gearhart said.
Carmel Clay Schools is in need too. Officials say they need 30-40 more bus drivers.
It is forcing them to extend the no-bus zone.
Any student who lives roughly a mile from their school won't have transportation.
"I know that's frustrating for those families to hear that but I want them to understand that if we did have the staffing I assure them we would not go that route," Gary Clevenger with Carmel Clay Schools said.
Not only do schools need daily drivers, many need substitutes.
"That presents all kinds of problems for us if a single bus driver is absent, or takes the day off, or has a doctor's appointment of whatever," Gearhart said.
Until the need is filled, districts are left trying to staff all routes so kids can get to school.
- Franklin Township Community Schools: routes staffed, needs substitute drivers
- Indianapolis Public Schools: routes staffed, needs substitute drivers
- Perry Township Schools: routes staffed, needs substitute drivers
- New Pal Schools: staffed
- Carmel Clay Schools: need 30-40 drivers
- Lawrence Township Schools: staffed
- Beech Grove City Schools: need drivers and substitutes
- Greenwood Community Schools: need drivers
- Franklin Community Schools: staffed
- Decatur Township Schools: staffed, need substitutes
- Pike Township Schools: staffed
- Edinburgh Schools: staffed, waiting on new buses
Beech Grove Schools will pay $104-$131 a day. Carmel Clay pays $170 a day.
If you would like to apply to become a bus driver helpful links are below:
Beach Grove:
https://www.bgcs.k12.in.us/o/beech-grove-high-school/page/bghs-transportation
Perry Township:
https://www.perryschools.org/uncategorized/bus-drivers-wanted/
-
The WNBA's Fever and NBA's Pacers are more than just neighbors in Indianapolis
The Pacers and Fever aren't just neighbors. They're basically basketball family. They have the same ownership, play their games in the same building, cross paths with the other all the time.
Thousands gather for 'No Kings Day of Defiance' protest in Indianapolis
As President Donald Trump plans to celebrate his birthday with a military parade in Washington, D.C., thousands of protesters have gathered at the Indiana Statehouse for "No Kings Day of Defiance."
Game 4: Thunder rally to top Pacers 111-104 and tie Finals
The Oklahoma City Thunder rallied from a 10-point, second-half deficit to beat the Indiana Pacers 111-104 on Friday night and tie the NBA Finals at two games apiece.
Silver Alert issued for missing 76-year-old from Warrick County
Debra Bone, 76, is described as a white female, 5 feet 7 inches tall, 172 pounds, with gray hair and green eyes.
