Polson school district scrambles to hire bus drivers
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Polson schools need drivers for the three new Van Hool coaches they recently added to their bus fleet.
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News from Polson School District No. 23
POLSON — The Polson School District recently purchased three Van Hool coaches to add to their bus fleet but lacks the drivers to drive them. The district is struggling to hire enough drivers to transport students.
“Students must get to school and events but we don’t have enough drivers,” said Mike Anderson, Transportation Director. “We can adjust the scheduled times a little, but we don’t have room to consolidate routes, and because this shortage is industry-wide, we can’t look to charter companies for help,” Anderson said.
The district is currently operating at a 30% driver deficit this year. The district has examined different ways to fill the gap, including utilizing teachers and administrators as activity drivers. In addition, the district plans to implement a substitute incentive program. It will pay its substitute quarterly bonuses of $100 for working 10 days, $200 for working 20 days, and $300 working 30 days. Additional substitutes will add support to drivers should they need to take a sick day.
“We are also reviving last year’s catchy ad to recruit more drivers,” said Scott Boen, the district’s human resources and communication director. The revised advertisement highlights the following perks: a corner office with a lake view, being paid to travel and the opportunity to drive a $100,000 company vehicle with heated seats.
This year the district’s driver shortfall seems severe. “We simply do not have enough activity drivers to bus our students to sporting events and other activities. We barely have enough drivers to get our students to school. And if drivers get sick, we don’t have substitutes to cover them,” said Mr. Anderson.
With an influx of people moving into the area, the applicant pool should increase, reducing the driver shortage. “For our student’s sake, I sincerely hope that more candidates show interest in our open bus driver positions,” Boen said.
