AREA BUS DRIVERS ARE ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Among the less visible duties of bus driver include cleaning the buses, both inside and out. Here R-2 driver Jane Oehl works on the windshield of her bus. Jackson USA Signal/Brenda Birk

School bus drivers are on the road again. Jackson R-2 drivers are again facing an anticipated busy year. Jane Oehl, committee leader and a driver for ten years with the district, said a shortage of drivers last year made for a stressful year.

"Many drivers quit once they see what is involved in driving a bus full of children," she said. As one driver recently stated in the Southeast Missourian, "We're responsible for 50-60 children with our backs turned." Increased traffic, inclement weather and disciplinary issues are a constant concern. This season will start with a full slate of drivers as reported by Carol Woods, transportation coordinator for Jackson.

Jackson drivers are going into the 1999-2000 school year with a four percent salary increase. Their requests for medical and annuity benefits were put on hold until budget review this spring. Joe Nenninger, another bus driver and committee leader for Jackson, said that increased pay and benefits would not only help keep the experienced drivers on staff, it would help draw new drivers when necessary.

Roger Tatum, superintendent of Scott City schools noted his district has added medical benefits to the bus drivers' package. "We pay their full medical insurance and they are issued a $10,000 life insurance policy," he said. Tatum added that other districts seem to be moving toward benefit packages to keep and draw qualified drivers.

Cheri Fuemmeler, superintendent of Oak Ridge schools reports that retention is not a problem in the R-6 District. This year makes the 31st year for one of their drivers. "We do need more substitute drivers on staff, " she said. "We have a large number of drivers who are farmers and during harvest and planting we sometimes have need for more substitutes." Benefits are not offered to the drivers in the Oak Ridge district.

A bus driver's week can be full of challenges. A child can be sick or injured on a bus; drivers are "on call" for inclement weather and school cancellations; telephone calls to parents are made regarding disciplinary issues or other concerns; buses must be cleaned and gassed regularly; and safety meetings are held monthly.

The liability factor is a big issue for drivers today. Driving a bus of athletes to St. Louis can be a six-hour assignment in new territory and city traffic. Extra pay for such a long trip is not always worthwhile.

Encouraging news for the drivers is a new position of Director of Operations being filled by Jeff Bollinger. Meetings with Bollinger and Dr. Ron Anderson, Jackson's new superintendent of schools, have already taken place. Job satisfaction appears to be a priority for Jackson R-2 drivers and hopes of improvement under the new leadership run high.

"We take the responsibility of safety of each and every child very seriously," said Oehl, "and we want the district to acknowledge that responsibility."

The community can support the responsibility of the school bus drivers by slowing down when driving and watching for buses and children at the schools and the bus stops.