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PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — The Pinellas County School District continues to be combating a bus driver shortage.
“We hope to be in a really good place once we open school,” mentioned Kevin Hendrick, Superintendent for Pinellas County Schools.
The objective is to have sufficient faculty bus drivers. However, that’s been a battle for all faculty districts throughout Tampa Bay.
“It started with COVID, and there were a lot of incentives for people to be able to stay at home for a while,” mentioned Mary Sue Cross, Compound Bus Manager for Pinellas County.
The Pinellas County School district has been hiring drivers all summer time.
“We have folks in class now, and there’s opportunities to create more efficiency,” mentioned Hendrick.
Leaders are coaching them to make certain the individuals they’ve lately employed shall be prepared to drive a bus in time for the college yr.
“We can put you behind the wheel of a school bus, and in a short period of time, you’ll feel like you’re driving your car,” mentioned Kevin Cobb, CDL examiner, coach, and bus driver.
But the district continues to be brief.
A college official instructed ABC Action News that the quantity fluctuates, however the district wants 40-50 bus drivers and about 80-100 bus assistants.
That’s why they’re placing on a number of job fairs to recruit extra individuals to fill these spots.
- Upcoming job fairs:
- July 21, 8 a.m.-11 a.m.
- July 28, 10 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
- Location: forty ninth Street Bus Compound, 635 forty ninth St. S, St. Petersburg, FL.
The district is providing incentives like a $1,000 signing bonus. It shall be paid in two elements, $500 after finishing and passing the industrial driver’s license class and $500 after finishing the primary faculty yr.
Drivers earn $15.69 per hour, and bus assistants earn $11.78 per hour.
Despite the present shortage, Hendrick mentioned it’s not as unhealthy because it’s been prior to now.
“It’s a combination of becoming more efficient with our routes and also some of the incentives we’ve put into play. As well as retention, that’s a big part. Keeping our employees here and making sure they’re well compensated,” mentioned Hendrick.
For anybody enthusiastic about talking with a recruiter, name 727-638-3528 or 727-587-7100 ext. #4620 or ship an e mail to pcsbtrans@pcsb.org.
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