Plum School District offering paid training to attract bus drivers

Plum Borough School District is offering paid training as it seeks to fill vacancies among its bus and van drivers.

The district, which operates its own fleet with its own employees, needs six bus drivers and two van drivers, business manager Ryan Manzer said. Two bus aides also are needed.

The district ideally would have four more bus drivers to cover absences or vacancies on a daily basis, according to Manzer. He said having enough drivers has been a continuous challenge for the district following the pandemic.

A commercial driver’s license is needed to drive a school bus.

“We have previously offered CDL training at no cost, but have recently expanded the program to provide paid training,” Manzer said. “This expanded paid training program is a great way for a new driver to earn their CDL, while continuing to earn a paycheck.”

For applicants who don’t have a CDL, Manzer said the district will coordinate and pay for the training and pay them $18 per hour, the same rate paid to van drivers.

The process of getting a CDL can take more than a month to complete, Manzer said. Additional training in a school bus also is provided.

“Most of our van drivers will progress on to be a bus driver and obtain a CDL,” he said.

The base rate for drivers with CDLs is $22.60 per hour. An overtime rate of $33.90 is available beyond 40 hours per week for field trips and activity and athletic runs.

“We do have plenty of opportunity for overtime because of us being short-staffed,” Manzer said.

Bus drivers receive sick and personal days; life, accident and disability insurance; medical insurance; and participation in the state pension system, according to the district.

Membership in the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1595 is available but not required, Manzer said. A physical and background clearances are required.

A list of the district’s job openings, including bus drivers, is available at pbsd.net.