Arizona schools finding it harder to find bus drivers while economy thrives

PHOENIX — Arizona’s strong economy, low unemployment rate and rising minimum wage have made it harder for schools to find bus drivers, resulting in staffing shortages throughout the state.

“Folks have a lot of options for jobs out there nowadays, and they pay pretty well,” Scott Thompson, assistant superintendent of business and support services at Mesa Public Schools, told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Monday.

“We’ve been, unfortunately, struggling with limited budgets in schools to try to keep up with that.”

Thompson said that Mesa, the state’s largest public school district, has more than 55 openings for bus drivers.

“It is a Valley-wide, probably statewide, issue for sure,” he said, “but all we can do is keep making people aware of it and hopefully get the word out that we have these jobs and maybe some folks will put in an application.”

Thompson said the staffing shortage has made it difficult to keep the buses on schedule, and sometimes certified supervisors or dispatchers have to drive routes.

“We do everything we can to cover, but it’s been difficult,” he said.

According to the district’s job listings, new bus drivers are paid $13.37 an hour. Part of a budget override being put before voters in November will go to increase those wages, Thompson said.

We're now hiring bus drivers! It's a great job for retirees, college students and those needing flexible schedules. Plus, you'll make a difference in students' lives every day. Apply online at https://t.co/ZgMGiBxGN3 and join our #oneteam today! pic.twitter.com/cmKb153YDA

— Mesa Public Schools (@mpsaz) August 29, 2018

He said bus drivers’ split-shift schedules, with morning and afternoon routes, provide an ideal way for people with other part-time jobs or college students to earn extra money.

“I don’t think people think about driving a bus as a way to do that, but it absolutely can be,” he said. “We just have to keep trying to get that word out to everyone.”

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Nailea Leon contributed to this report.

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