Local officials say school bus driver shortage persists; two bills on age and equipment did not advance

Panelists at Policy Talks addressed school bus safety and driver shortages after a recent deadly bus crash in Carroll County.

Representative speakers said two bills were considered this session: one would have allowed school systems more flexibility to hire younger drivers, and another would have extended the allowable mileage/age on buses so districts could keep vehicles longer. According to the forum, neither bill advanced this year.

Jason Golden, Williamson County’s superintendent, told the audience that district buses may not be older than 18 years under current policy and that buses older than 15 years require additional inspections. Golden said driver shortages closely track the broader labor market: ‘‘When the economy is in really bad shape, we have more drivers; when the economy is going well, we don't,’’ in part because the school schedule does not provide full‑time hours for insurance and other benefits.

Representative speakers said they were skeptical of lowering hiring‑age limits (for example proposals to move from 25 to 23) and emphasized the safety responsibilities of hauling children. Panelists suggested the legislature should revisit proposals with more data and safeguards rather than rush changes.

Next steps: Local school districts and state education committees are likely to continue evaluating recruitment strategies, compensation structures, and equipment‑age rules; no statutory changes were enacted this session per forum remarks.

Reporting based on remarks at Policy Talks in Williamson County.