The Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District currently has half the number of bus drivers that it did prior to the COVID-19 pandemic response, and district staff expect that number to decline further with two more drivers scheduled to leave at the end of the school year.
The district has five full-time bus drivers and two substitute drivers, as well as two teachers with commercial driver’s licenses and two mechanics, plus COCSD Manager of Transportation Daniel Maldonado, who are also tasked with driving. Maldonado said that the district had one new driver start at the end of January.
“That is very exciting. We’re able to pull the mechanic off the bus, that was our main goal,” Maldonado said. “We [want to] see the mechanics off the buses and back in the shop where they belong.”
Maldonado has to carry out his administrative tasks in between driving routes.
“It can wear down on a lot of people. I’ve got one driver that’s doing three routes … that makes for a long day, even though there’s a break,” Maldonado said. “And when you’re a bus driver, you’re supposed to know your kids that are on [the bus]. That’s hard when you’ve got three sets of kids that you’re trying to learn, their names and behaviors.”
The shortage has resulted in the elimination of field trips outside the Verde Valley and the creation of community pickup locations to streamline routes. Students who live within a mile of their school are now required to walk to school.
“It’s hard to tell parents, ‘I’m sorry, you’re within the one-mile radius and we can’t transport your kid right now,’” Maldonado said. “I’ve been a single father. I understand the aspect of being stretched really thin, trying to have the job and get this kid to this school and that kid to that school … I know it’s a hardship, but at the same time, we legally cannot transport more kids than what’s allowed on the buses.”
“We have implemented several strategies to attract and retain skilled drivers, including opening the opportunity for teachers to obtain CDL licenses, coaches driving to athletic events … offering sign-on bonuses for new drivers, increasing pay for drivers, providing retention stipends, attendance incentives and paid CDL training, utilizing substitute drivers and contract,” COCSD Superintendent Jessica Vocca stated in a Jan. 12 press release.
COCSD has also started a “Bus Driver of the Month” recognition program. Cottonwood Community School eighth-grade teacher Jayne Lee earned the award in December for getting certified to transport students and Daniel Badger earned the award in January.
“Badger goes above and beyond every day to ensure our students have a safe and positive ride to and from school,” the district stated in a Jan. 23 Facebook post. “His friendly attitude, punctuality and commitment to the well-being of our kids truly set him apart. Whether it’s a rainy day or a sunny one, he always greets everyone with a smile and makes the ride an enjoyable experience.”
Starting salary for COCSD bus drivers is minimum wage, or $14.70 per hour as of Jan. 1. Drivers who obtain a CDL can earn $16.90 per hour. Hours are typically between 6:30 and 8:30 a.m. and 2 and 4:30 p.m. COCSD is offering incentives including a $200 sign-on bonus and a $750 recruitment bonus if a driver stays for six months.
“School bus driver wages are far lower than [those of] most other workers, according to our analysis,” a November 2023 Economic Policy Institute report stated. “The typical school bus driver earned $20 an hour in 2022, which is 16.8% less than the median wage for all workers in the economy, $24.04.”
“It’s a really good thing you’re doing for the community to help be a part that makes sure that these kids get to school safe, you’re part of their whole education process,” Maldonado said. “And you can be the first nice person they see or talk to in the morning and the last nice person at night when you’re letting them off.”
Those interested in applying to be a bus driver can visit cocsd.us or call (928) 634-9679
