Bus driver shortage hits Lovell and surrounding districts

Just as parents, students and educators prepare for another school year, bus barn manager Michael Montanez is busy cleaning, prepping and ensuring all buses are safe and ready for students. Michael will undoubtedly have the buses polished and ready, but who will drive them?

This tight-knit community is facing a critical shortage of bus drivers, creating a pressing need for new hires. Despite offering competitive wages and extensive support for obtaining necessary qualifications, Big Horn County School District #2 is struggling to find route drivers to ensure safe and efficient transportation for its students.

The district now requires all bus drivers to possess a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), akin to the qualifications needed for semi-truck drivers. However, Superintendent Doug Hazen emphasizes that lack of a CDL should not deter potential applicants.

“Our district is committed to assisting new employees in obtaining their CDL,” Hazen said. “We provide the necessary training and support to ensure our drivers are well-prepared for their roles.”

The position entails working the morning and afternoon bus routes, providing not only transportation but also a friendly and positive atmosphere for the students.

“Our drivers have more responsibility than just getting kids from point A to point B safely,” Hazen explained. “They are the first and last face that represents the school before students go home.”

The job offers a competitive pay rate of $20.60 per hour, with the potential for annual raises based on job performance. The schedule is particularly appealing as it allows drivers to pursue other employment or personal projects during the day.

A longtime district bus driver and now bus barn manager, Montanez highlighted the importance and rewards of the job.

“It’s a very important and rewarding job, knowing you can be a good influence in students’ lives beyond just driving them somewhere safely,” Montanez said.

The challenge of finding and training new drivers is not unique to Lovell. Big Horn County School District #1 Superintendent Matt Davidson noted similar difficulties.

“Drivers have been difficult to find, and more difficult to get trained,” Davidson said. “We’ve tried many different incentives, such as increased wages and assisting with training and the classes to get CDL certified.“

Despite being school rivals, both districts share a common goal: addressing the urgent need for bus drivers. Whether in Lovell or Rocky, the message is clear. More drivers are needed to ensure the safety and well-being of the students.

The shortage of bus drivers is not just a logistical issue but a community challenge that impacts families and educators alike. Parents rely on the safe and timely transportation of their children, and teachers depend on the consistent arrival of students ready to learn. The driver shortage has added stress to parents who may need to adjust their schedules to accommodate the lack of reliable school transportation, highlighting the broader impact on the community’s daily life.

Lovell is currently in the swell of fire season, with the dry, hot weather adding an extra layer of urgency to the need for reliable transportation for students. The bus drivers here do more than just drive; they help knit the community together, ensuring the future generations arrive at school ready to learn and thrive.

For those interested in applying for the position, please contact Doug Hazen at 307-548-2259
or dhazen@bgh2.org.