Nick McWilliams reporting – At the latest Claymont City Schools Board Meeting, the pressing need for additional bus drivers was highlighted.
A common problem nationwide, school districts are struggling to fulfill the required spots for bus drivers, putting strains on their resources and affecting how children get to and from school each weekday.
Transportation Department Supervisor Eric Henry discussed the situation with the board at their most recent session, stating that there simply are not enough drivers to fill their needs, and that the city might have to look into alternatives to make up for that.
“Right now, I guess some of the options that are out there [are] expanding our walk-zone is one of those. Double-routing is another one. Especially with double-routing, you’re looking at other issues that are going to be created.”
Henry said that the double routing would involve dropping off middle and high school students earlier, leading to an earlier start time, followed by all other buildings, with drivers making two routes in the morning and the evening to account for fewer drivers.
That would lead to some drivers starting earlier, and getting home later.
The district doesn’t have a full-time substitute driver, with Henry taking on those duties currently, and he says if they have multiple call-offs in a day, it compounds the issue.
Superintendent Brian Rentsch asks that all residents with a commercial driver’s license who are available to drive to apply with the district and contact Henry to help out.
Copyright WTUZ Radio Inc., 2023