News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Putnam County School System making gains on its bus driver staffing.
Transportation Supervisor Ron Chaffin said only two routes remain without a driver. At the beginning of the summer, that number was five.
“I feel really confident that we’re going to be able to get these positions filled, because everybody knowing that we will be able to pay a little bit more” Chaffin said.
Support staff will receive a $3 raise in the school’s budget. Chaffin said the move has also helped with retention. Chaffin said several bus drivers indicated they were going to leave for other jobs before the school board approved the raise.
“They’re really excited and its helped our morale,” Chaffin said. “Plus too, its also helped with the drivers we have interviewed to be able to say we can add to the hourly rate that we offer. So, I think it’s really going to be a huge asset for us.”
The school budget still needs final approval from the county commission. Chaffin said the school system can get a new driver on the road quickly with in-house training.
“We have three trainers,” Chaffin said. “We have a trainer that takes care of our pre-trip training on the road and also skills. Once we get through the training, we have two certified third party examiners that are able to give the exams.”
Chaffin said even if the positions are not filled, the county has two substitute drivers available to cover the routes. The school system has approximately 58 drivers, Chaffin said.
