Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Personnel topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lebanon schools cite nationwide bus-driver shortage; board approves personnel changes, internships
Summary
The board approved a long personnel consent agenda and discussed a shortage of bus drivers, recruitment steps, van-capacity limits and a new mechanic internship in the district's bus garage.
The Lebanon City Schools Board of Education on Feb. 18 approved a broad personnel package that included retirements, resignations, new hires pending background checks, nonlicensed coaches and volunteer lists, and an internship for a Warren County Career Center student to work in the district bus garage.
During discussion, district staff warned the board of an ongoing, nationwide shortage of school bus drivers that has forced recent route cancellations and required operational adjustments for student activities. The district said it is actively recruiting and exploring flexible driver schedules, paid training and use of parent self-transport options for some events.
A staff member who presented personnel and transportation matters told the board the district is emphasizing recruitment and flexible options. “Our average age of a bus driver is in the sixties,” the staff member said. “Our largest 5 year chunk that we have with 13 drivers in it is between the age of 65 and 69.” He said training and certification typically take about four to six weeks and the district is covering more of the up-front training costs to speed hires.
Board members and staff discussed alternatives for athletic events, including limited parent transport and use of vans. Staff said Ohio law allows a van to carry a driver plus up to eight students (nine total), which limits which teams can use vans. They also noted liability and board-policy questions around allowing students to transport themselves to events.
As part of the personnel approvals, the board authorized hiring a mechanic intern from the Warren County Career Center to work in the bus garage, a paid internship the district hopes will supply future local candidates for maintenance work. The presenter described the internship as a new partnership and said the mechanics team was “super excited about the opportunity.”
Board members were also told the district has already posted about 20 openings for next school year, including intervention specialists, science and math teachers, and that several administrators may become eligible for retirement in coming years; staff said they plan to begin succession planning.
The personnel consent agenda passed by roll-call vote with all board members present voting yes.
The presenter emphasized this is a widespread workforce issue rather than a local pay problem and said the district is trying marketing and flexible scheduling to attract applicants.
