School bus driver shortages are a problem facing the entire nation, but they show no signs of slowing in the face of continued funding cuts for education. One such proposed cut in North Carolina could turn existing driver shortage issues into a crisis for some districts.
A proposed state funding cut of up to 50% for teacher assistants is likely to exacerbate driver shortages for Johnston County Schools according to The News & Observer.
The district is already relying on teacher assistants to also serve as bus drivers for the district, which has 250 teacher assistant positions with 27 current vacancies. Brian Vetrano, chief personnel officer for the district said if the proposed cut is passed, the district would be forced to let go of around 100 teacher assistants. This is on top of an existing hiring freeze instituted by Superintendent Ed Croom in anticipation of the cuts.
The cuts also mean it would be difficult to keep teacher assistants on as drivers if the cut is enacted for classroom work. Vetrano said driving one route takes approximately three hours a day, and many employees cannot afford to work so few hours.
Croom explained it would also be very difficult to replace bus drivers quickly enough to cover the losses of teacher assistants acting as drivers due to the training needed.
The local newspaper reports state lawmakers have yet to pass a budget for the fiscal year, which began July 1. The lawmakers have until the end of August under the most recent extension to pass a budget.
Find out more from The News & Observer.
