Overton Schools Looking For A New School Bus Mechanic

Overton County Schools are looking to supplement their short-staffed school bus garage with an additional mechanic.

Overton County School Board Member Ricky Dodson said the county has 33 buses in its fleet that complete 26 routes every day. Dodson said the garage only has one certified mechanic on staff who is also having to fill in as a driver.

Dodson said the staff is so thin that when bus routes are active, the garage is left completely empty from 6:15 to 7:15am. This leaves no mechanic available to go and help a driver in the case that a bus breaks down. The county currently has four substitute drivers, all of whom are full-time drivers elsewhere.

Dodson said the county’s bus inspection is scheduled for January 25 and is a big deal. Dodson said beyond the need to have things in order for the inspection, he suspects that the lone remaining mechanic may retire soon, or at least begin to take more time off.

Dodson said with mechanics being in high demand in the region, he and the garage staff hope to have someone hired soon, even if only part-time. He said he plans to add the stipulation that whoever is hired must have their CDL. Dodson said the job is vital because if students cannot get to school, they cannot learn.