Valley schools weigh shift with start times, bus schedule over tardiness

PHOENIX — Two Phoenix-area school districts are considering a shift in school start times and bus schedules due to ongoing issues with punctuality.

Mesa and Gilbert public schools have reported issues of tardy buses, overcrowding and a shortage or high turnover among drivers to their respective governing boards recently.

Mesa’s board is considering a plan to allow drivers to cover multiple routes, which could delay school start times by as much as 15 minutes in 2020, according to the East Valley Tribune.

Community Impact reported that Gilbert’s board is weighing whether to consolidate start times for junior highs and elementary schools in the district.

Mesa Assistant Superintendent Scott Thompson told KTAR News 93.2 FM last fall that a large part of the problem is the district’s struggle to hire bus drivers, who make $13.37 per hour.

“Folks have a lot of options for jobs out there nowadays, and they pay pretty well,” he said.

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

According to the Tribune, Mesa has more than 50 openings for drivers.

Until the schedule shifts take place, the school district is continuing to be active in recruiting full-time and part-time drivers.

Thompson told KTAR News last fall that the job is a good way for people with part-time jobs or college students to make 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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