Comments on: Escambia Schools Adjust Start And Dismissal Times Due To Bus Driver Shortage

By: Pop a wheelie!

Pop a wheelie! — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 00:46:21 +0000

Ok lol. Here I go. It’s not the kids why were short handed. Stop blaming them. Anywhere you work your going to have problems. We choose to ride. To work here. Would more money help. Why Yes. Lol. Be patient.caring and drive the bus talk with the kids. If you have to cuss or be hateful to a child. Well don’t apply. It’s your choice. I choose to ride. We do really need more money or summer pay be nice. Have a blessed day! Mary..

By: David Huie Green

David Huie Green — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 18:04:33 +0000

REGARDING:
“Get rid of the stupid tobacco law and you will have more bus drivers then you know what to do with”

Actually, we were short on drivers before the tobacco disqualification. We’ve been short since at least 2005, when I started. Driving a bus is just too hard for some, too little pay for some.
(Getting up and showing up on time is too hard for some.)

David for good school bus operators

By: Brandi

Brandi — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 18:00:42 +0000

If I had kids, they would not be going to school that early. That is a god-forsaken hour to be in school. Who invented 10 minute breakfast? That’s absurd.

By: Lisa Fuller

Lisa Fuller — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 17:41:10 +0000

It’s not about the skills of the drivers who smoke. It’s not about the children on the bus being exposed to second hand smoke or the smell of tobacco from the driver’s clothing. It’s about money. The school district negotiated with a health insurance provider that gives them a lower premium for employees who don’t smoke at all. So by not hiring smokers, the school district saves money. That’s the issue. This policy went into effect in 2011. The non-smoking policy applied to only new hires, not existing employees.

By: JJ

JJ — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 17:07:18 +0000

Get rid of the stupid tobacco law and you will have more bus drivers then you know what to do with. Geographically by cutting those that smoke in this county you pretty much cut out half the population. I don’t smoke but this it’s a stupid law. Bus drivers don’t smoke when they drive the students around so what’s the issue? As long as cigs are kept away from arms reach of kids, drivers don’t smell like ashtrays etc then what’s the problem. Last I checked you don’t smoke a cigarette and forget how to drive safely.

By: Mrs. Bus Driver

Mrs. Bus Driver — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 16:20:55 +0000

You can apply for the sub SBO position and drive, as a smoker. Hours and pay are the same. You are only tested for nicotine when you want to become a perm SBO. The difference between the two positions are benefits, paid holidays. The current pay rate is $12.46 an hour. Routes are 7 to 8 hours a day (or more), Monday through Friday. Opportunities for field trips and after school routes available. apply on line at escambiayellow.com or call (850) 469-5328.

Thank you for your positive responses. I know a lot of SBOs and SBAs read northescambia.com. They work very hard everyday, and they do it because they love and care for the students of Escambia County. Hug and thank your operator today!

By: Beach Boy

Beach Boy — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 14:25:52 +0000

I was a driver for the school district a few years ago and it was bad then. Can’t imagine how it is today. First off….you can work at McDonald’s for $13-$17/hr. flipping hamburgers. Bus drivers DESERVE more than $12.80/hr. Secondly…..ALL BUSES need cameras. It’s your word against the student and you can’t argue if it’s caught on the camera.

By: Do better people

Do better people — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 13:39:14 +0000

The pay that is offered to bus operators is an insult. The operators are an essential part of the children’s day. They are the first and last people the children see on their daily educational journey. People have a tendency to under estimate the impact a bus operator can have on a child. Unfortunately, the children have learned that there are no consequences for unacceptable behavior. This is nurtured by the District and parents. A child can curse, hit, and disrupt a bus and receive no punishment. The District doesn’t want to suspend children because then the sorry @## parents won’t take them to school. I know how important education and want every child to receive one. However, ultimately it is the parents responsibility. When will the onus be put on the parents to handle their children. Maybe once the parents start to be inconvenienced things will change. Operator, assistants, and other children should not have to put up with disruptive children. This District has the mentality that is ok to sacrifice the many for the few. I have seen it with my own eye.

By: Von

Von — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 11:47:19 +0000

The ridiculously low rate of pay is one problem. However I think the biggest problem is there are no consequences for the behavior of the children. The schools don’t want to suspend children off of the bus because the parents won’t Brin gather to school. Unfortunately, until some onus is put on the parents nothing is going to change. I understand that the children need to be at school. However, this district has a tendency to sacrifice the many for the few. Disruptive children on a bus make it unsafe. It’s not right to subject the driver and 60 other children to this because a few can’t behave. Inconvenience the parents then maybe they will do something about their child’s behavior.

By: really john?

really john? — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 11:40:35 +0000

@john

Really? Have the teachers, who are already underpaid and over burdened, take on an additional job? Doesn’t sound like the best solution to me. Though I do know several teachers in Alabama who are doing just that, I think it absolutely absurd!

If people can go get a job with A LOT less responsibility (taking care of a bus full of kids is scary) for the same pay or more, then I think it’s time to raise the pay! Raise the pay all around, bus drivers AND teachers! This isn’t an area to skimp on money. This is where money should be abundant! Our children shouldn’t have to suffer because of this mess!