Lack of bus drivers push Beavercreek superintendents to get behind the wheel

Beavercreek administrators are training to become bus drivers as a result of the school district not having enough substitute drivers.

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The superintendent, assistant superintendent, and the business director of Beavercreek schools have been learning to drive school buses for the past four months in efforts to make-up for the lack of bus drivers.

According to superintendent Paul Otten, the district is so low on substitute drivers, they’ve been forced to ask current bus drivers not to take sick or PTO days.

“We have a fleet of almost 100 buses, and when you look at that and the number of staff members, this job is such an important job that we have”, Otten said.

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A job that normally trains for three hours a day for four weeks, is taking the administrators longer due to them already having full schedules, however, they cite the role of a bus driver as critical to student’s safety and are stepping up to get the job done.

“That moment of picking kids up and making sure they get to school and home safe has been eye opening”, said Otten.

The district is still looking to fill six bus driver positions and ask those interested to contact Beavercreek school district directly or attend an upcoming job fair.

The job fair will be held Saturday, April 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m at Trent Arena in Kettering.

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