There has been a decline in the amount of bus drivers working the routes in the Wadsworth School District.
Many students rely on bus drivers and bus routes to get to and from school each day.
However, bus drivers are also relied on to transport athletic teams to games and students to different destinations where they may be needed.
“We had three drivers leave, and then it continued on into this year with three more drivers leaving,” said Jessica Widmer, the Transportation Advisor for the Wadsworth School District. “We have been able to manage it through rerouting bus routes and consolidating them, as well as through hiring. The hiring has slowed down, as fewer and fewer people want to be bus drivers.”
Bus drivers have many students relying on them, making their jobs an important part of the normal school day as well as athletic and club events.

Substitute drivers are being relied on to fulfill routes that aren’t being covered by contracted bus drivers.
The decrease in bus drivers wanting to apply for work and the demand for routes is creating stress on students and the remaining bus drivers.
Students’ needs are consistently prioritized by bus drivers who take them to and from where they are required to be.
“As a bus driver, you are the first interaction that a student will have with someone from the school system in the morning and the last interaction that the student will have before returning home,” said Ron Hart, a district bus driver.

He explains that to be a bus driver, you must be able to practice patience while also maintaining control of the bus and what happens inside the bus with students.
Hart has even canceled vacations to make sure students are able to get to any occasion he knows they need to be at. Hart, as well as the other bus drivers working in the Wadsworth District, hope to make sure the effect the shortage has on students is kept to a minimum.
Being a bus driver gives an individual an opportunity to build relationships with students and faculty. This can be rewarding to have access to building such fond connections.
“I know that I’ve had many students ask me if I’m going to be their driver again at the end of the year; there is no better compliment than to have others wanting to see you back when school starts in the fall,” Hart said.
While having the proper character and desire for a bus driver is important, there are requirements that must be followed before they can officially be a contracted bus driver.
“The State of Ohio requires bus drivers to have a Class B CDL, as well as their S, school bus, and P, passenger, endorsements,” Widmer said. “The training is a minimum of 12 hours behind the wheel training with one of our trainers. It typically takes 20 to 30 hours though. The trainee must also attend a 15-hour training course called Ohio Preservice. It teaches the drivers all of the school bus laws, regulations and procedures.”
These steps are required by the District and state of Ohio to maintain the safety of the passengers on the bus, the driver, and the other people on the road.
If people have an interest in becoming a bus driver for the Wadsworth School District, they can contact the number 330-335-1328.