Wilmington City Schools is currently facing transportation challenges, as they are short two bus drivers due to long-term illness leave. Due to these vacant positions, two of their sixteen regular routes have been affected, in addition to transportation to sporting events. To complicate the situation even further, the school also has a shortage of substitute bus drivers, stretching the bus dispatcher and bus mechanic beyond their normal responsibilities and affecting communication. Parents have voiced their concerns about the regularly late buses, issues getting children’s bus routes changed in a timely manner, and an overarching concern with a lack of consistent communication.
In response to these concerns, Tim Dettwiller, Interim Superintendent of WCS, stated, “we’re throwing time, effort, and money at this problem” and spoke about their plan to resolve the issue and alleviate parents' concerns, emphasizing the importance of transparency and consistency. To attempt to ensure that parents are receiving prompt communication, everyone in the central office is working together to distribute bus information, according to Dettwiller. The central office now has hard copies of routes and rosters in order to ensure that communication is still possible without the internet, due to a recent internet outage resulting in the slow notification of a bus accident.
Dettwiller also detailed the ‘Bus Driver Recruiting Incentive Plan’ that was discussed at the October School Board Meeting and is set to be ratified at the upcoming board meeting. According to Dettwiller, the proposed plan is a “beefed up” version of a pre-existing plan that expired in June. The plan consists of three levels of incentives depending on an individual’s licensures and qualifications with bonuses ranging from $1,500 to $2,500. These incentives are in addition to the $18.93 per hour starting rate. In addition to this program, staff members are also rewarded for referring a bus driver and receive an additional personal day along with a $500 bonus. WCS also plans to display a large sign at East End Elementary and several smaller signs around town advertising their open bus driver positions.
According to Dettwiller, “we’ve got the money to hire, we’ve got the desire to hire, it’s just getting [bus drivers] in the door.” He went on to say, “it takes four to six weeks to get them licensed. So that’s another big challenge is that it takes time. So that’s why we beefed up the second and third tier of our recruitment plan to offer more money.” If the issue persists beyond a month, Dettwiller mentioned cutting high school busing as a last resort; however, he doesn’t expect or want to be in that situation.
Offering comfort to parents, Dettwiller noted that bus driver shortages are a statewide issue, occurring in multiple districts in the region. He also emphasized that students are not being punished for tardies or absences that are beyond their control due to the bus driver shortage. Dettwiller encouraged parents and students to communicate their concerns at local board meetings or call his office directly for a one-on-one conversation. However, throughout the process of resolving the issue, Dettwiller just asks that parents provide him with grace and stated, “the schools have to have the ability to research to provide you with an appropriate answer… There has to be a little bit of grace. If your child is safe and you know that and you’re just upset about something, call, we will get back to you if we don’t talk to you immediately.”
Dettwiler acknowledged frustrations expressed on social media and the effect the situation has had on morale across the school district, and encouraged people to “talk about the good things that are happening, too.” If you are interested in driving part-time or full-time for Wilmington City Schools, call (937) 382-2357 or email Jessica Miller at Jessica.Miller@wilmington.k12.oh.us.