JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC) – Students are heading back to the classroom this week, but many school systems are still in search of people to transport the kids to and from the school.
For years, school districts across the country have struggled to keep all bus routes staffed with drivers. Even in Central Alabama nearly every school system could use a few more.
Jimmie Lay who drives for Fultondale High School is entering his 9th year as a school bus driver.
He’s also a small business owner so he started driving for the insurance and the benefits but keeps it up because it’s become a part of his life.
Lay says someone who is comfortable interacting with kids and disciplining when necessary could make a good driver, but they’re also role models.
Lay lives in Fultondale so he recognizes many of the students on his bus and he says sometimes these drivers are the first friendly face they see in the morning and the last friendly face in the afternoon.
“Sometimes you may be the only role model that child has so your relationship with them and influences on them could determine how they turn out in life so you always take that and always mindful of that when you’ve got them behind you on the bus,” says Lay.
Jefferson County Schools has 22 vacancies right now but many of the routes will be covered by subs or mechanics for the time being. Anyone interested in applying and impacting students on a daily basis can do so on their website.
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