Bus drivers are in high demand state and nationwide

Lloyd Jones
Lloyd Jones
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Jan 17, 2019
Jan 17, 2019 Updated Jan 18, 2019
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Bus driver shortage - Kevin Richard — Buy Now

Kevin Richard, superintendent for SAU 9, said there is a bus driver shortage not only in the Granite State but nationwide. "Talking with superintendents across the state they are having a huge, huge issue finding drivers." (LLOYD JNES PHOTO)

CONWAY — SAU 9 finds itself in a similar boat to schools across the nation in facing a shortage of bus drivers, and that reality is causing school officials to think about what that could mean for sports programs and educational field trips.

Two weeks ago, an elementary school in Maine had to cancel classes because there were no bus drivers available. In the Granite State, a task force has been set up to come up with creative ways to attract and retain bus drivers.

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Lloyd Jones

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(1) comment

Pmbnsn Jan 20, 2019 10:07am

I have driven school bus going on 33 years. It has been my main job and I wouldn't give it up for the world. If there is reason for such a shortage is what you have just said in your story. My input is the pay is pitiful as we drive with up to 72 students ages 4-18. If the school district wants the feel of that then I suggest you try it. I am willing to bet you couldn't handle the job for 1 hour. It is not just driving we do, it is referee,nurse,teacher of rules,laws and safety,we are listeners of things that are unimaginable to hear and try to direct to better choices,we are babysitters,and plain caregivers to the unfortunate. We are called idiots and know nothing because we do in fact drive a school bus. We in some cases are so disrespected by students,faculty,parents because we are doing a service of safety. We get not respect from drivers who don't have the patience to wait up to 1 minute to pick up or unload a student safely not to mention the [explicit] who run the red lights because they are in too much of a hurry. We are clocks with a tight schedule to arrive on time both to and from school and to describe the ignorance of some who feel the need to call in a storm because their child isn't home on time. Note: What is their excuse for not being at home when we arrive? My last point: Administrators are clueless to what we go through. They are by far the