Some School Districts Say Need For Bus Drivers Exacerbated By Pandemic

Several local school districts are in need of bus drivers this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jenks Public Schools and Bixby Public Schools said it’s not unusual to have a low number of bus drivers, but the pandemic is making it worse.

Bixby Superintendent Rob Miller said most bus drivers are older and may not want to put themselves in a situation where they could be exposed to COVID-19.

"If you've got people that are older and in their late 50s or 60s, then they are going to be a little bit more careful about putting themselves in situations where they might get infected just because of other health considerations they may have," Miller said. 

Bixby Schools canceled classes Tuesday, after a bus driver tested positive for COVID-19, which meant six more drivers had to quarantine.

Miller said canceling gave them time to come up with an alternative plan for the bus routes while the drivers quarantine.

"On one or two days over the next two weeks, parents will need to transport their kids to and from school, but on the other days their regular bus will provide that transportation," Miller said. 

Jenks Public Schools Director of Transportation Landon Diveley said they have about 85 drivers right now. He said the district has plans in place in case any drivers have to quarantine.

"We kind of have a scheme if you will, a plan that if there's contact tracing that needs to take place, then each representative will be notified, and we will work through that plan," Diveley said. 

Diveley said they have a routing coordinator who can adjust bus routes if needed and a substitute bus driver list if a route needs to be covered.

“We start scheming and look at okay can we cover it with another bus, can we double up on a bus with two routes essentially," Diveley said.