Bus driver shortage cuts classes short

 The following story was written by a student on the staff of The Jaguar Times as part of Hilliard Bradley High School’s Journalism Production course.

Addison Maley 

Editor-in-Chief

Lucy Cotter

Student Life Editor

Hilliard advertises jobs to address bus driver shortage outside of Davidson High School. Photo by: Addison Maley (12). 

The Hilliard City School District has been experiencing bus driver shortages since the 2023-2024 school year began, though it seemingly came to a head in February. To address the immediate shortage, Hilliard high schools were dismissed at 1:45 on several occasions in February. 

Zach Saiyoeun (11) was relieved to have the school days end early: “I love early dismissals! It’s such a relief being home early and getting extra time to rest and do homework.” Saiyoeun also mentions, “I wouldn’t say it messes up our schoolwork because I remember getting our assignments and information around the same time as a normal day would.”

Some teachers were less enthusiastic. Doug Grieble, biology teacher, provides insight on the teacher perspective of early dismissals. “It makes it even more difficult than normal; every class is unique, and you throw in more variations of daily accomplishments with the hindrance of getting things done, [it creates] unequal opportunities [for students].” Grieble’s 7th and 8th period biology classes lose valuable instructional time compared to their 3rd period counterparts. 

Understanding the complexity of rearranging schedules, Grieble adds, “everybody is trying to figure that out; nobody has yet. Shortening all periods by about 7 minutes was the least impactful” on his classes. 

Angelo Caputo, Transportations Services Coordinator, explains the bus driver shortage as the result of complicated factors.  “Currently we only have 3 open routes (meaning there is no permanent driver assigned). The problem that we are running into is we have 9 drivers out long-term for surgery or illness on top of the daily call-offs. This morning (Feb. 13) we had 32 route adjustments to cover in total with 7 substitutes (which includes CDL holding office/mechanic staff). This afternoon there are 34 routes or part-runs that need coverage,” according to Caputo. 

The costs that are required for an individual to become a bus driver are another barrier to solving the shortage problem. Caputo says “the qualifications and license needed to operate a school bus in the state of Ohio prohibit us from filling openings with anyone outside of our current substitute driver pool.”

The Ohio Department of Education requires school bus drivers to fulfill 16 requirements before becoming a member of the staff, including drug and alcohol testing, 2 years of driving experience, a commercial drivers license, and background checks. 

“Come Drive With Us” sign hangs outside of the Hilliard Transportation Facility. Photo by: Addison Maley (12)

Becky Fugitt, a bus driver for Hilliard, shares her experience becoming a bus driver: “I had to take several tests at the BMV, four I think, and then I had to go through training. I started at the beginning of the summer and I was able to drive in the fall at the beginning of the school year- so it takes about a good 3 months or so. [The training] also costs about $300.”

Upon completing these requirements, Caputo shares that “drivers are guaranteed 5 hours per day-contracted for 185 days/year. We do have approximately 30 out of 130 that would be considered ‘full time’ (over 6 hours per day). ” 

Caputo adds that “the largest goal we have is to get our staff healthy and healed in order for them to be able to return to duty.”

Early dismissals persist, as the Hilliard bus shortage continues. It’s unclear when the issue will be resolved, but Hilliard is accommodating students as proactively as possible through frequent communication with students and families.