On this West Virginia Morning, a continuing West Virginia school bus driver shortage has bus routes being canceled daily and parents scrambling to get their children to school. Randy Yohe talks with three school transportation directors about the challenges they face, and anything that might increase this struggling workforce.
On this West Virginia Morning, a continuing West Virginia school bus driver shortage has bus routes being canceled daily and parents scrambling to get their children to school. Randy Yohe talks with three school transportation directors about the challenges they face, and anything that might increase this struggling workforce.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
West Virginia’s School Service Personnel of the Year finalists were announced Monday.
West Virginia’s School Service Personnel of the Year finalists were announced Monday.
According to a press release, the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) honor recognizes the outstanding contributions of public education staff members who have shown exceptional skill, and commitment and have earned the respect and admiration of students, teachers, administrators, co-workers and parents.
The five finalists are Gary Brydie, a school bus operator from Cabell County, payroll secretary Melissa Faw from Raleigh County, secretary Susan Moran from Preston County, Mineral County secretary Darlene Wiltinson and Donna Summerlin, a teacher’s aide at the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.
West Virginia’s School Service Personnel of the Year and Teacher of the Year will be announced on September 12, 2023, during a ceremony at the Clay Center in Charleston.
For more information about the West Virginia School Service Personnel of the Year, please visit the WVDE website.
n this West Virginia Morning, the challenge to recruit and retain public school bus drivers remains at a critical level, and it’s having a ripple effect on student education. Meanwhile, a shortage of bus mechanics is only aggravating the problem.
On this West Virginia Morning, the challenge to recruit and retain public school bus drivers remains at a critical level, and it’s having a ripple effect on student education. Meanwhile, a shortage of bus mechanics is only aggravating the problem.
Reporter Randy Yohe spoke with West Virginia School Service Personnel Association Executive Director Joe White about the urgent need to find a solution, including legislative remedies – enacted or dismissed – to fix the problem.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Assistant News Director Caroline MacGregor produced this show.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
There is still a statewide shortage of school bus technicians and mechanics, but House Bill 2346 is expected to address that.
House Bill 2346 addresses a continued critical need and shortage of school bus drivers.
David Baber, state director of Transportation with the West Virginia Department of Education, said the recently passed legislation lifts the 140 day maximum limit for bus driver retirees who have returned to work. He said many returning retirees quit working after 140 days, leaving school systems in a bind.
“If they had those folks in a long term position, then they had to scramble to refill it again. When bus drivers aren’t available, students can’t get to extracurricular activities or worse, to class.” Baber said. “Under this new bill, that shouldn’t happen in the future.”
Baber said returning school bus drivers must go through the normal tests and requirements, and in some instances, pass a six hour refresher course.
“The retirees who have come back, depending on the length of time that they’ve been out of service are also required to go through some refresher training,” Baber said. “A minimum of six hours of training behind the wheel and some classroom to make sure that they’re up to date on any changes in policies or procedures.”
He said there is still a statewide shortage of school bus technicians and mechanics.
“We’re doing everything we can to help remedy that,” Baber said. “But the people just aren’t out there.”
Education Reporter Chris Schulz sat down with Sen. Amy Grady, R-Mason, the Senate Education Committee chair, and Del. David Elliot Pritt, D-Fayette, the Minority vice chair of the House Education Committee, to learn more about what is being done to secure the state’s future.
On this episode of The Legislature Today, the state’s political, business and community leaders generally agree that a quality education is the key to West Virginia’s future.
Education Reporter Chris Schulz sat down with Sen. Amy Grady, R-Mason, the Senate Education Committee chair, and Del. David Elliot Pritt, D-Fayette, the Minority vice chair of the House Education Committee, to learn more about what is being done to secure the state’s future.
Also, it was a relatively quiet day at the West Virginia Legislature, with the Senate only passing three bills.
The House Finance Committee debated a wide variety of bills that were recommended for passage. One highlighted the Form Energy project, and another addressed the shortage of qualified school bus drivers.
Finally, it was Domestic Violence Awareness Day at the Capitol. Chris Schulz has the story.
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The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
