Bus driver, aide shortage challenges Delaware schools

A nationwide bus driver shortage has also affected Delaware schools, state and local officials say.

Bus driver shortages were a challenge before the pandemic, and since then, the shortage has worsened because the average age of school bus drivers puts them into higher-risk categories.

Cape Superintendent Bob Fulton said the bus driver shortage affects Cape district schools as well.

“I will be serving on a statewide committee that will discuss this topic, and will help to develop statewide strategies and ideas with the purpose of improving these concerns,” Fulton said.

The staffing shortage extends to bus aides, who assist with special transportation requirements for students. 

Because federal and state laws and regulations govern the timeline for training and credentialing school bus drivers, districts and charter schools are feeling pressure to hire staff immediately to prepare them for the start of the school year, officials said.

Delaware Department of Education has been working with district and charter schools to provide driver and aide training throughout the pandemic. Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles is scheduling road tests and accepting S endorsements from other states once bus drivers meet Delaware training requirements. The state is offering a stipend to those who become fully licensed.

To attract more candidates, the state has increased bus driver compensation and created additional financial incentives, such as double-tier and triple-tier allowances to better compensate drivers with more than one route. DOE is developing a group of stakeholders to explore ways to address staffing shortages, and the state public school transportation committee is continuing to evaluate the funding formula and other issues.

To become a school bus driver, applicants must be over age 18, obtain a CDL license, complete a Delaware school bus driver background check, complete the child protection registry, undergo pre-employment drug testing, receive a Delaware school bus driver physical with TB screening, complete behind-the-wheel training and attend Delaware school bus driver training school two-day class.

School bus driver applicants must not have more than five points on their three-year driving record; recalculated points and defensive driving course three-point credits do not apply. Applicants must not have had their license suspended, revoked or disqualified in any state for moving violations in the last five years, a period which begins from the date the suspension, revocation or disqualification has been cleared.

Bus drivers must never have been convicted of manufacturing, delivering or possessing controlled or counterfeit controlled substances; any crime against a child; any class A or B felony; felony homicide; felony sexual offense; felony against public administration; or any other felony for which they have not been pardoned or for which less than five years have passed since all imposed sentences were fully discharged. 

To be a school bus aide, applicants must be over age 18, attend Delaware school bus driver/aide training, complete a public school employee background check, complete the child protection registry, undergo pre-employment drug testing and take the school bus aide physical with TB screening.

Interested applicants can contact DOE Transportation Office at 302-857-3390 or DOESchool.Transportation@doe.k12.de.us.