The Carroll Community School District (CCSD) Board of Education discussed potential changes to transportation provided to students for the upcoming school year due to fewer drivers. This has been a challenge for the district for quite some time, not knowing the reason for the high turnover. Transportation Director Jennifer Dentlinger says 17 drivers have turned in contracts to return next year, but the district runs 22 routes. Dentlinger says the department combined routes this year, but that resulted in completely full buses, and that is where behaviors occurred. Dentlinger recommends that unless five additional drivers are hired before next year, they must look at the number of students transported.
Dentlinger says she is brainstorming a plan for those students living within a mile of a school building to still get transported by the district.
For example, students who live within a mile radius of Fairview Elementary would need to find personal transportation to that building. If a student then needs to get to the high school, one of the shuttle buses would provide a ride from Fairview to the High School Building. A plus to that would be that parents within that radius would only make one stop to drop off all kids, but Dentlinger says there are some downsides to the plan as well.
Dentlinger says she is not sure how this plan would exactly look; she is just bringing some ideas to the board for consideration. Board member Jim Friel asked Dentlinger if the salary or the requirements to get a CDL license were the reason for the high turnover.
The district’s starting pay for new bus drivers is $22.30 per hour, and the district provides paid training to obtain a CDL license. Anyone interested in a driving position is asked to fill out an application online on the CCSD website. Dentlinger and CCSD administrative staff will continue to discuss the potential changes and will consider approving a new transportation policy at the next board meeting on June 16.
