How area schools are addressing school bus driver shortages

DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) – Bus driver shortages persist around the nation.

Nationally, in the year 2023, bus driver employment was down nearly 15% from 2019.

Two Wiregrass area school districts said pre-pandemic lows have been hard for many school systems to overcome.

For school districts, figuring out bus driver staffing is crucial ahead of the new school year.

Ozark City Schools transportation director Jackilyn Barefield considers the district fortunate.

“We are pretty blessed right now. We ended our year and will be starting our year fully staffed,” Barefield said.

However, Barefield said it has not always been like this and knows all too well the impact.

”We have been in a position where I have been on a bus, my mechanics have been on a bus. But if you are in that position where you are facing that shortage, it makes it harder on the school getting the kids on time, the parents who have a work schedule and then getting them home,” the transportation director said.

That is why recruiting is an important tool for school districts.

For Dothan City Schools, it has been the use of large advertising to help recruit bus drivers.

”We have been out in the community and our transportation department has done a fantastic job of drumming up interest with our advertisements with the bus, letting people know that there is a great opportunity available with Dothan City School’s transportation department,” Meagan Dorsey with Dothan City Schools said.

Dothan City Schools is still in need of substitute drivers, but the transportation director is hopeful those positions will be filled.

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