MIDDLEVILLE, Mich. — Parents at Thornapple Kellogg Schools have even more on their plates as the district searches for more bus drivers.
Announced Wednesday, bus routes are being consolidated and rerouted, and the schools have created a 'walking zone' to accommodate the shortage.
Superintendent Craig McCarthy told FOX 17 they've been able to hold off on making this decision for years, but recent retirements and several drivers leaving the district forced their hand.
"For the last probably six, eight years, school districts have been having difficulty having enough drivers to transport students," McCarthy explained Friday.
"We have been lucky enough that we haven't had to deal with it until now."
The district typically hires 31 drivers, but it's currently down eight.
"Over the course of the summer, we had a couple of bus drivers decide they were going to retire, another few that said that, for family reasons, they were going to stop working and then a couple others that have decided to stay in-industry that they work over the summer," McCarthy said.
The school's transportation department will get in contact with parents to coordinate details for each student.
The 'walking zone' includes areas around TownCenter Townhouses/Apartments, Rolling Oaks Estates, Seneca Ridge, the Downs and Misty Ridge. Boundary lines are (east to west) from M-37 to Bender Rd and Lloyd Ct and (north and south) from Town Center Dr to Misty Ridge Dr.
The district is still searching for drivers, offering $500 sign-on bonuses and multiple $500 attendance incentives.
If you're interested— click here.
No experience is necessary and CDL training is provided.
