NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — USD 312 Superintendent Craig Idacavage isn't having to drive bus on a regular basis this year.
"The board voted last year, at the end of last year to increase bus pay," Idacavage said. "Our starting bus drivers start at $19 an hour and so we've picked up a few more drivers. We are still looking for a few more. We have a couple centralized pickups that we would certainly like to eliminate and go back to going to mailboxes and picking people up but just right now with the staffing that we have at our bus driver positions, it's just not possible."
Getting rural kids to a centralized stop can be a challenge.
"That's not possible for them to walk and so we understand that," Idacavage said. "Those parents, they're compensated for that. We do receive funding and so we do make the square with that but we do understand it can be a struggle and so as long as we can get some more drivers, we'll take care of that."
The Haven district is spread over 283 square miles.
"Just give us a call, (620) 465-3455," Idacavage said. "Even we've talked about doing things where drivers can park the buses at home. We'll work with you. We will get you trained. If you don't have a CDL, we do our training there in-house and so we're able to help you out with that as well."
You can apply online.