Utah (KUTV) -- School staffing shortages are being felt across Utah. While many districts say they don’t have a teacher shortage, they are in serious need of other positions like bus drivers and substitutes.
The Jordan School District said their bus driver shortage is so bad, that the transportation director, mechanics, and licensed front office staff have been filling in driving routes.
Across Utah school staff are working double to fill in the gaps, but district leaders fear this could burn out employees that are already stretched thin. Val Asay is in his sixth year as a bus driver for the Jordan School district. He started driving after retiring from his previous job.
"I found this to be a real joy,” Asay said. Saying the best part is getting to know his riders and setting the tone of their day.
"You're the first person they see in the day, and other than mom and dad, the last person they see at night."
Over the years he's gotten to know each student, their family, and their music taste.
"We try to give them the music that they like to hear, we play the radio,” Asay said.
The Jordan School District is down more than 15 drivers. They've raised the bus driver starting pay to more than $21 per hour and will pay for the required training and CDL license. They said the perks of the job include choosing your hours and getting summers off. Or choosing to work more, driving for sports, field trips, and summer school.
Asay said the job isn't for everybody, but it's great if you love kids.
"It can be a little hectic, but for the most part it can be very rewarding."
The superintendent of the Box Elder School District, Steve Carlsen, said they need bus drivers too.
"We've been having a problem with bus drivers, having enough of them, for the whole time I've been here. But this year's probably even a bigger concern,” Carlsen said.
In the Nebo School District, it’s more of the same.
"We are very anxious to get some bus drivers. We can help them qualify go through all the testing,” said Lana Hiskey, the spokesperson for the Nebo School District.
Box Elder and Nebo are also in need of more paraprofessionals, food service staff, and substitute teachers.
In the Nebo School District, there are around 4,500 employees. Hiskey said on any given day there could be a few hundred teachers who need substitutes. They are using a new sub system this year, and still need around 150 substitutes to sign up.
Their substitutes are paid $85 per day, more if the work for long periods of time. Hiskey says being a substitute is great for people who want flexible schedules or have kids.
"When your kids are already in school, you can pick and choose those days and work. And then you can be at home when your children are home,” Hiskey said.
The flexibility also applies to their nutrition worker positions, they are still looking for around 30 people to help serve breakfasts and lunch. The district provides all of the training for those positions, as well as for substitute teachers.
Across Utah, a big problem with these staff shortages is that other employees must pick up the slack.
"And then that's a worry, because then you overwork your existing staff,” Hiskey said.
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August 20, 2021 at 06:15AM
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Staffing shortages impacts schools across Utah, big need for bus drivers in most districts - KJZZ
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