MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — One of the largest school districts in the state is having a hard time finding enough bus drivers to take care of all the bus routes.
Berkeley County Schools Transportation Executive Director Eric Keesecker said that means some days, bus routes get canceled.
“We do have to cancel some bus runs,” Keesecker told the Panhandle News Network. “Of course, we do not want to ever cancel a bus run but unfortunately we don’t have enough resources right now to cover every one that’s out. We are experiencing the highest turnover rate that we’ve ever experienced in transportation.”
Berkeley County Schools is hosting a recruitment day on Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. until noon. Potential bus drivers will be encouraged to test drive a bus and apply on the spot at the bus garage located at 88 Harlan Springs Road in Martinsburg.
Keesecker said bus drivers who qualify no longer have to work their way up from substitute status to a full-time route.
“I started in transportation 17 years ago and it took two to three years to get on as a full-time driver,” he said. “Right now, once you get trained and certified, you can walk into a full-time job.”
Because of a proliferation of manufacturing and warehouse job opportunities in the Eastern Panhandle, Berkeley County Schools has to compete for qualified employees. Keesecker said being a bus driver is still a very good job with good benefits.
“It’s a 200-day contract and you drive a bus 180 days. Through legislation last year, as a bus driver now you’ll make $135.45 a day,” Keesecker said.
An announcement from the school system says attending the event is a first step to becoming an official CDL driver with a passenger endorsement to transport the students of Berkeley County Schools.
Applicants must be 21 years of age or older and have 3 years or more of driving experience in a normal vehicle.
Applicants must bring a valid driver’s license to the event in order to test drive a school bus.
Applicants must bring proof of a high school diploma or GED.
Participants will have the opportunity to drive a school bus around our parking lot, the day the event with the assistance of our certified bus driver training team.
Administrative staff and trainers will assist participants with officially applying for a bus driver position during the event.
Administrative staff and trainers will assist applicants in arranging appointments for required pre-employment visits to the DMV, background checks, and Dr. Chambers office for drug-screening.
Light snacks and drinks will be provided.
More information and a link at the Berkeley County Schools website.