Community Impact reports there is a national shortage of school bus drivers, and Conroe ISD is one of those school districts.
The district experienced some accomplishments during 2022 by providing incentives, according to their transportation director, Juan Melendez. However, another $22 million is to be placed in the transportation program out of the November 7th bond.
The $22 million is from Proposition A, which was approved by voters. The money will buy new buses and provide for renovations to the East County Transportation Center, which is in the feeder zone for Caney Creek.
Staffing issues, according to Melendez, still exist in the district. He passed along that in 2022 the district was experiencing issues with 36 open routes. There’s no assigned driver for an open route. He said now, however, the transportation department has hired people to replenish 17 vacancies.
Melendez said if there’s no assigned drivers available, someone has to take over the route. If no standby drivers are available, those who hold a commercial drivers license have to do the job, in addition to the job they already hold.
To address the shortage issue, Melendez made some adjustments which include:
–drivers getting incentives to pick up routes
–the approval of two retention stipends
–events and luncheons which express appreciation
–the institution of a learning program for commercial license preparation.
