Volusia County Schools in need of bus drivers

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Volusia County Schools officials say they’re seeing a historic shortage of bus drivers.

The district has close to two-dozen vacancies to fill as it prepares for the next school year.

Officials say many workers have left due to health concerns because of the coronavirus pandemic.

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School bus driver Kim Layfield says it’s in her blood. Her mother drove Volusia County buses for 30 years. She’s done it herself now for 33.

“I really enjoy it. You get personal with the students,” Layfield says.

However, Layfield says this school year has been one of the hardest. Not only is she dealing with the usual issues like mechanical breakdowns, but she’s also managing social distancing, more cleaning, and picking up more routes.

“Out of all the years, this has been the roughest,” Layfield says. "

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Since last March, the school district says they’ve lost more than 30 drivers- more than half of them with 15 years of experience. The district says they’re numbers they’ve never seen before.

The district’s Transportation Director Mitch Moyer says they started with 202 drivers this year, and now, they’re down to 180.

“We’d have to double up and do two runs, which we can’t do and be on time to schools,” Moyer says.

The district is actively recruiting more drivers to fill those openings.

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Layfield says the impact a bus driver can have on a student’s life makes it worth it.

“You do make a difference...A lot of times these students do count on you to get them where they need to go.”

Pay for a Volusia County bus driver starts out at $13 per hour with benefits included.

Cox Media Group