The Carroll Community School District (CCSD) Board of Education is looking to update policies, bussing requirements, and more to assist the transportation department in remaining a valued resource for the district. During the board’s work session this week, Jennifer Dentlinger, transportation director, says per state guidelines, the district is required to transport students who live more than two miles away from the building at the elementary level and students over three miles away at the high school level. CCSD is currently transporting every student who requested to be picked up and dropped off by a bus, regardless of distance. Dentlinger says she looked back at previous years to note how the department has changed.
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This year, the department has 34 buses, 20 bus routes, and 19 drivers. They drive over 318,000 miles annually, transporting 581 students as required by law but 881 who are not legally required to be picked up.
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Dentlinger says current bus routes carry 65 to 77 passengers, with many making multiple trips in the day. To make up for the bus driver shortage, Dentlinger says it isn’t surprising that she or two mechanics also run a bus route. Board members questioned why there was such a shortage of drivers; while unable to pinpoint the exact reasons, Dentlinger believes behaviors from students, pay, and training required to obtain CDL contribute towards the shortage. While a teacher has one to two teaching assistants for 25-30 children in a classroom, the bus driver is in charge of 65 to 77 students by themselves while still needing to focus on driving the bus. Dentlinger says behaviors are increasing, with most coming from the Carroll Middle School students. Board members asked Dentlinger what the current behavior disciplinary procedure is.
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Dentlinger says the current starting wage for drivers is $21.50 per hour, and they work 4-5 hours a day. The district is currently offering a sign-on bonus and pays for the training to obtain a CDL, which Dentlinger mentions is a major obstacle for new drivers.
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Dentlinger is currently suggesting only picking up students who live over a mile from each respective building, which would cut down to five fewer buses in the morning and six fewer in the afternoon and lower the total number of students on the buses to 895 students daily. Board members also discussed creating a zero-tolerance policy for behaviors and increasing starting pay. More of these discussions will be brought up in future meetings with the CCSD Board of Education.