A statewide shortage of bus drivers threatens the scheduled opening time of schools in the state, including the Bloomfield School District, which will start classes 15 minutes later than usual.
Kim Mizell, the district's superintendent, told KOB 4 that the impact of COVID is still felt.
"Two bus drivers retiring [sic] last year and during the COVID episode that we were dealing with, many of our bus drivers weren't comfortable driving the bus with the COVID outbreaks, so we lost them through that," she said.
The district lost seven drivers, so there are only five drivers left to handle the work of 12, KOB 4 reported.
"We struggled all last year with routes," Mizell said. "We doubled up on routes, with the bus drivers to try to get the students to school. However, it caused a delay in drop-off and pick-up time. Therefore, we had to look at options this year."
The decision to start classes a few minutes later allows the bus drivers to cover multiple areas.
"We felt like with a little 15-minute later start, that would allow the bus drivers to do the two routes that they have to do, and at least the kids would get there on time and we bought ourselves some time," Mizell said.
Bus drivers are responsible for covering the school district's 1,500 square miles, according to KOB 4. They have to double up on routes because of the staffing shortage.
"Buying ourselves time will allow us to run those two routes," Mizell said.
Help is on the way, though, KOB 4 reported. Four bus drivers are currently in training, and the district hopes to recruit more by raising their pay rate.
"We actually raised our hourly rate to $18.50 an hour, and we also will pay them during the time that they are training," Mizell said.
Pick-up times will remain the same. If the staffing shortage continues, there might be an expansion of the walking requirement for students.
