August 9, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
The DeKalb County School District needs more bus drivers.
Director of Schools Patrick Cripps put out the call during Thursday night’s monthly Board of Education meeting.
“If you or someone you know would like to drive a school bus we are taking applications. We are in dire need of bus drivers and you can call the main office here at 615-597-4084 or go on-line to apply to drive a bus. If you don’t want to drive full time we will accept substitute drivers as well,” said Director Cripps.
To be a school bus driver you must be at least 25 years old and have a CDL license, Class A or Class B. You must have a Passenger and School Bus Endorsement, carry a current medical card, have a clean DMV record, and you must be able to pass a background check and drug screening. After a bus driver is hired, there are random drug tests at the bus garage for all drivers.
The Transportation Department has also been without a director since the departure of Jimmy Sprague who resigned several weeks ago but an announcement on a successor is expected soon.
There is also a need for mechanics. Temporary outside mechanic help has been brought in to help staff maintain and make repairs to the school system’s fleet of buses.