South Haven Public Schools is looking for some bus drivers.
District Transportation Director Dave Johnson tells us they need drivers to take kids to and from school, but also to run them to athletic events, field trips, and classes off campus. He says all you need is a CDL B with a school bus and passenger endorsement, which the district can walk applicants through.
Johnson says being a school bus driver is easier than people think.
“They say, ‘Oh, I couldn’t do that. I couldn’t drive that big bus. I couldn’t put up with those kids. It would just be terrible. I don’t know how bus drivers do that.’ That’s a misconception. Driving those buses once you’re used to them is just like driving your car, and the kids on the bus, it’s a really rewarding job,” Johnson said.
And Johnson says a bus driver can have a big impact on the kids each day as one of the first faces they see.
“You have a student get on your bus and you say, ‘Well, good morning, Susie. You look nice today.’ And they smile when they see you. They’re happy to see you. And that really is a rewarding thing for you.”
For those with no experience, the job starts out at $22.44 per hour, and for those with more experience, there’s a sliding scale.
Johnson says now is the time to look into a career as a school bus driver because it’s the summer, giving applicants plenty of time to get through the process. Just look at the website of South Haven Public Schools and find the Transportation page.
