Locally, Cook County is not an exception to the shortage when looking at full-time driving positions, as well as substitute and occasional drivers. With some kids riding vast distances to get to and from school on a daily basis, as well as traveling for sports or other activities, there’s a lot at stake. 

Boreal Community Media talked with ISD 166 Superintendent Chris Lindholm to learn more about the shortage and impacts that are already occurring and potential long-term effects. 

At the time of the article's release, there was still a need to hire a full-time bus driver as well as substitute drivers. According to Lindholm, “It’s been the current reality for the 22-23 year, and continuing into this year. The pool of substitute and occasional drivers for activities is quite small, which creates scheduling issues when multiple activities are scheduled for the same day.” If there are no drivers available, some activities have the potential to be cancelled. However, it’s not just activities that have the potential to be impacted by the driver shortage. Routine bus routes delivering kids to and from school could also be affected. Lindholm shared that in the 22-23 school year, there were two days when a bus route had to be cancelled and families had to provide alternative transportation. This year, there has been one day this fall when a morning route had to be cancelled. 

As many can attest, being short-staffed can also put a strain on existing staff members and create burnout. In the case of the bus driver shortages, some staff are working their regular jobs during the school day, and also driving routine routes driving kids to and from school. “At some point, a person just can't continue to work 65 - 70 hour weeks continuously and stay healthy and effective,” Lindholm said. 

Anyone interested in becoming a bus driver can choose between a few options in terms of timing. Subs and occasional drivers would not have regular routes, instead, they would fill in as needed to cover illnesses, vacations, other absences, or multiple events occurring on the same day. Main route positions run between two and three hours, but  “Can be split so a driver can drive just the AM routes or just the PM routes if they have another job elsewhere,” said Lindholm. 

In addition to some flexibility in the number of hours worked, paid training can be provided through Cook County Higher Education (CCHE). Kelsey Kennedy, Program Director for CCHE, shared that “The Commercial Driver's License Class B - Bus & Passenger Endorsements Training is still an option for people to request to join. We are taking rolling applications. This is a partnership with ISD 166, which means those who are requesting to take the training would need to be accepted to be employed by ISD 166.” 

The training details through CCHE are as follows: 

• FREE Training & Job at ISD 166 Regular Route Driver

• Paid Training

• Licensed to Work Bonus $100

• Demonstration of Success Bonus $500

• ISD 166 Bus Driver Wage $24.96

• Additional pay for extracurricular trips

• Paid holidays and other benefits

• Daily Schedule 6am-8am and 3:10pm-5pm

• FREE Training & Job at ISD 166 Substitute Driver

• Paid Training

• Licensed to Work Bonus $100

• Commitment to Work Bonus $250

To learn more about the CCHE training program, visit: https://mycche.org/cdl/ 

Apply for employment with ISD 166 by calling 218-387-2271 (Ask for Tom - Director of Cook County School District ISD 166 Maintenance and Transportation) or by visiting the school website here.