The following was released to the Stow Sentry on October 11, 2007.

Q. Is there a driver shortage?
A. There is a shortage of substitute bus drivers. When regular drivers are absent and there is no sub to cover that route, it must be driven by another driver after he/she has completed his/her assigned route.

Q. How many drivers are needed?
A. The district currently has four substitute drivers going through the hiring process. 4-6 more substitute drivers are needed.
“ We have called all of the surrounding districts and they are in the same boat we are,” said Business Manager Tom Adams. “Subs are hard to come by.”

Q. What is the district doing to make sure that students arrive at their destinations on time?

A. Some things the district is doing to attract sub drivers:
The district is considering increasing sub rates; guaranteeing hours to sub drivers; paying for their training up front with the agreement that they reimburse the district later.

To apply to become a sub driver, contact the Human Resource office at 330-689-5413. The current rate is $11.45/hour.

The application procedure includes the following:
Qualifications and Requirements to obtain Driving Certification:
1. A Bureau of Criminal Investigation background check.
2. A Federal Bureau of Investigation background check.
3. The training to acquire a Commercial Driver’s License with a school bus endorsement, which includes 18 hours with the on-board instructor.
4. A minimum of 15 hours of class work administered by the Ohio Department of Transportation.
5. A drug screen to be administered by the Summit County Health Department.
6. A physical to be administered by the Summit County Health Department.
7. Passage of a state-regulated driving test administered by the Ohio Highway Patrol.

Athletics also affected by lack of sub drivers

This transportation issue also affects high school and middle school athletic events.

In a letter to athletic parents, Athletic Director Cyle Feldman and Adams stated that the district’s first priority is to transport students home from school safely. “When drivers are absent and there are no substitutes available, afternoon routes must be doubled-up.”

This also results in a delay of transportation for student-athletes to games. The new Northeast Ohio Conference includes some high schools that are outside the immediate area.

"We are currently examining our athletic schedules so that events at outlying schools can be scheduled during the weekend when more bus drivers are available,” the letter stated.

The following was released to the Stow Sentry on October 17, 2007.

Q. How long have the delays been? Have there been delays to each school, or certain shifts going to certain schools?
A. Delays have typically been 30 minutes, mainly on the Kimpton and Lakeview runs, due to drivers doubling up runs.

Q. How many drivers are needed to be fully staffed?

A. We are fully staffed - we have 54 drivers for our 54 bus routes. Ideally, we need to have 10 or more subs. We have one sub and 3 in the hiring process.

Q. There has been talk of pay increases to lure drivers to the district; would that be for full-time AND part-time drivers? And Subs?

A. Stow is the second lowest in sub rates in Summit County. The district is considering increasing the sub rate for bus drivers.

Q. Sub pay is $11.45 per hour... What is the pay for part-time and full-time drivers?
A. Full-time drivers start at $15.93/hour. (there are no "part-time" drivers)

Q. Do rigorous background checks apply to ALL drivers?
A. Yes, background checks apply to all drivers - annually.

Page posted 10/11/2007; updated 10/17/2007