CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio — The Kenston Local School District was forced to ask some parents to drop their children off at school Monday because it did not have enough bus drivers to pick up all of its students.
"We're at a situation now where we're using our mechanics, we're using a grounds employee, we've used a teacher this year," said Kenston assistant superintendent Jeremy McDevitt.
McDevitt told 3News that the district sent parents a notice around an hour and a half before the first bus left the lot Monday morning. The district is urging parents to develop carpool arrangements with family, friends, and neighbors.
"It's going to put a lot of parents, especially working parents, in a bind because it's hard," said Katie Storch, a parent of a student within the district. "It's hard, especially with timing and everything."
In 2021,10 bus drivers either retired or resigned their positions as bus drivers within the Kenston Local Schools.
"We have 25 routes and 25 drivers," said McDevitt. "We're finding the drivers wherever we can."
The bus driver shortage isn't just impacting the Kenston Local Schools. Most Northeast Ohio school districts, including CMSD, Parma City Schools, Westlake City Schools and Shaker Heights City Schools have job openings for bus drivers.
The Kenston Local Schools will have a career day on March 6 for the open positions within the school district, including bus driver positions. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a Substitute Transportation Aide or Bus/Van Driver, click here and search Employment Opportunities. You can also contact Kenston's Transportation Department at (440) 543-9567. The district provides free training for all positions, including Class B Commercial Driver Licenses (CDL).