News Summary
Knox County Schools is facing a continuing shortage of bus drivers, with 15 vacancies to fill for the upcoming school year. Despite improvements over recent years, the need for drivers remains critical. The district has hired new drivers but also experiences high turnover, prompting innovative solutions like utilizing smaller buses for routes. To enhance communication, KCS has implemented new tracking technology for parents. Efforts to boost driver recruitment and maintain safety standards are underway as the district addresses ongoing challenges in student transportation.
Knoxville – Knox County Schools (KCS) continues to face a shortage of bus drivers as the district seeks to fill 15 driver vacancies for the upcoming 2025 school year. Despite recent improvements and initiatives, the demand for drivers remains significant, although it has gradually decreased in recent years. The district needed 20 drivers in 2024, 31 in 2023, and 50 in 2022, indicating a positive trend in addressing the shortage over time.
Currently, KCS employs approximately 460 bus drivers, providing transport for about a third of its student population. Due to the ongoing shortage, the district has adapted by using smaller buses for routes that typically require larger vehicles. This creative solution exemplifies KCS’s efforts to mitigate the impact of the driver deficit on student transportation.
In the past year, KCS hired 64 new drivers but simultaneously lost 48, resulting in a high turnover rate that complicates staffing efforts. At the start of the school year, the district was aware of a similar challenge, with 30 reported driver vacancies mirroring the previous year’s shortages. Nonetheless, KCS anticipated the training completion of 9 new drivers soon after classes resumed, followed by an expected 12 additional drivers in the coming weeks.
Typically, the beginning of the school year sees bus delays as new drivers familiarize themselves with their routes. Last year, many parents expressed frustration over communication about these delays, prompting the district to implement the Edulog Parent Portal. This system allows parents to track their children’s bus locations in real-time, aiming to reduce anxiety surrounding pick-up and drop-off times. Additionally, KCS has expanded its communication staff to provide better updates about any transportation delays.
KCS operates around 15,000 bus stops for nearly 20,000 of the 51,000 eligible students expected to utilize the bus service daily. This level of operation highlights the complexity of managing the transportation needs of such a large student body. During any given week, KCS receives approximately 700 calls concerning various transportation issues, including late buses and lost items, demonstrating the demand for effective communication and solutions.
To grow the number of available drivers, KCS has launched a training program designed to support individuals with a regular driver’s license in becoming certified school bus drivers at no cost. Furthermore, the district contracts with 60 independent providers responsible for operating its fleet of 360 buses. Bus contractors are compensated based on the size of the vehicles, with salaries ranging from $47,967 to $56,109 — an increase of about $2,000 from the previous year. This investment is part of the approximately $3 million in additional funding allocated to bus contractors over the past three years.
In terms of safety and operational efficiency, KCS has made significant advancements recently. All buses are now equipped with video systems, radios, and GPS trackers, enhancing safety and tracking capabilities. Additionally, KCS has taken a proactive approach to driver training by establishing a structured program overseen by a dedicated driver training and safety manager. Rigorous background checks, drug screenings, and annual physicals are mandatory for all potential bus drivers, ensuring that safety standards are maintained.
It is important to recognize that late buses can result from various factors, including traffic issues and equipment failures, not merely the number of available drivers. KCS is committed to continuing improvements in the bus fleet while addressing transportation logistics challenges throughout the school year.
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Additional Resources
- Knox News: Knox County Schools Short of Bus Drivers
- Wikipedia: Bus Driver
- WATE: Bus Driver Shortage in Knox County
- Google Search: School Bus Driver Shortage
- WSMV: Bus Driver Shortage Affects Montgomery County
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bus
- Knox News: Historical Perspective on Bus Driver Shortage
- Google News: Bus Driver Shortage
- Inside of Knoxville: Bus and Trolley Plans Update
Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER
The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
