‘Always a battle;’ Multiple school districts facing busing shortages, coming up with new solutions

Two different school districts have experienced busing shortages and have approached the issue in completely different ways.

As reported on News Center 7 at 5:00 p.m., most districts in the Miami Valley have expressed a shortage of substitute bus drivers.

“There’s a lot of work on the front end that nobody sees,” Huber Heights City Schools Superintendent Jason Enix said.

Huber Heights City Schools worked hard this summer to get the 35 drivers they need, but it’s substitute drivers that are hard to recruit.

Across the County in Kettering, they see the same issue.

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“Every district faces the challenge with retirements and people choosing to find, you know, other avenues for employment. So it’s always a battle,” Kettering City Schools Transportation Supervisor Todd Silverthorn said.

When Huber Heights City Schools says that when they lack bus drivers, drivers double up routes and sometimes, the superintendent jumps behind the wheel.

“I know I’m the last call if it’s desperate, I get the call to see if I can come in and and help out when possible. And I’m always happy to do that,” Enix said.

Kettering schools went a different route, creating an unassigned driver position. Unlike subbing, the position comes with benefits.

“We guarantee them X amount of hours per day. They’re eligible for benefits. They’re eligible to take field trips. So that helps,” Silverthorn said.

Even with the school year starting, many districts are still looking for substitute drivers.