Metro Considers Options To Keep School Bus Drivers From Leaving

Metro Schools needs bus drivers in a bad way.

The district holds a job fair Wednesday in order to fill 150 openings — more than a quarter of its positions.

Tuesday night, chief operating officer Fred Carr told the school board he suspects the shortage is caused by competition from surrounding districts that pay slightly more and by private companies that provide more opportunities.

 ”And we’ve just got to figure out what it’s going to take to keep them being school bus drivers instead of trucking company drivers,” said Carr.

The school board discussed the possibility of pay increases and retention bonuses.

Carr says during fall break, which is unpaid for drivers, 10 of them resigned. And 31 drivers called out of work Tuesday, adding to the delays already experienced by many students.