School district needs bus drivers

One of the key components of public education is transportation. Somebody has to get the kids to and from school and to and from the multitude of sporting and cultural events and field trips that make up the school week in Sisters.

And there aren't enough bus drivers to get it all done.

Sisters School District is actively recruiting bus drivers - especially for the substitute pool. They're also looking for one more regular driver.

Substitutes are a critical element, because they cover routes when other drivers are on the road for special events.

"We've actually had to cancel some trips this year because we didn't have enough subs in the pool," Superintendent Curt Scholl told The Nugget earlier this month. "We're always looking to hire, especially in the sub pool."

At times Director of Operations Ryan Stock has had to get behind the wheel, Scholl said.

The position requires a commercial driver's license and involves some training and a test of physical capabilities.

The hours are irregular - with a 6 a.m. start for an approximately 2.5-hour-shift in the morning, followed by a similar shift later in the day. Other trips may be interspersed in the day or come after school. And, Scholl notes, it "doesn't always equate to full-time."

The split-shift schedule can be difficult to manage, though for some it works well, giving them a large chunk of hours in the middle of the day to either work another job or for personal time.

Scholl acknowledges that Sisters' pay scale has worked against the district in hiring new drivers.

"Our starting salary is lower than other places in the region for busses," he said. "We catch up to them in the middle of the pay scale. It's the first three or four years where we're lagging behind our competition."

That starting compensation scale may be addressed in upcoming classified staff negotiations, Scholl said.

Those interested in driving may contact the district at 541-549-8521.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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