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Lack of drivers results in new, longer bus routes for District 208.

Starting Monday, January 14th, ROWVA District 208 has combined some bus routes due to a lack of bus drivers for the district. Superintendent Joe Sornberger tells WGIL the district was hoping to get by with substitute drivers this year, but the shortage has caused routes to change. “We need bus drivers plain and simple,” Sornberger said. “As it is in our classrooms: I’m still looking for a Pre-K teacher. In the past, we had the ability to go out and find people and fill all these positions without issues – bus drivers are the same. We had someone retire. We thought we had an idea to use a couple subs to get us through the year and it just didn’t work out. The other issue is: I just can’t get someone to be certified to be a bus driver tomorrow – there’s a process.” Sornberger says the Regional Office of Education #33 held job fairs, and District 208 held a training day to try to get the process started. Out of three people that came to the class, only one is moving forward with it. The process to become a school bus driver includes taking a Saturday class, then a fingerprint and background check, the CDL test, 6-plus hours of bus driving, and then the final driving test. School custodians and community members have stepped in to help drive, Sornberger himself even drove boys basketball players to Williamsfield last week. But without applicants, students will be on buses longer with the new routes until positions get filled.

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