KERSHAW COUNTY, S.C. — A need for bus drivers is a common theme across many school districts, but it's a need that is affecting day-to-day operations for some workers at the Kershaw County School District.
"Every day, I'm on a bus every day," says John Clinton, Kershaw County School Districts Coordinator for Transportation.
Driving the bus is not a part of Clinton's day-to-day obligations, but the shortage has now led to him taking on the wheel.
“In the mornings I usually come in at 5-5:15 a.m. on the bus about 5:45-6 a.m. back on the lot at 7:50-8 a.m., then I have 8-2 to do my job, then from 2:15-5 o'clock, I'm on a bus," Clinton says.
He is helping drive the buses because the district currently has 75 drivers and 23 empty positions, which has affected the 7,000 students they transport daily.
"Day to day is rough, just about in all areas we’re double routing, and sometimes we have to triple, just to try to get the kids to school in a timely manner,” Clinton says.
"We try to take the kids home that live in the closest area, come back to the school pick up another route, and take them home, we try to keep them as close proximity so when we get back it’s only 15-20 minutes later, picking them up and taking them home,” he adds.
Clinton is hoping they will no longer have to double route, once the 23 spots are filled, but he has one message to those wanting to apply, "you have to love kids, we short but we don't want anybody coming in driving for us that don't love kids."
For those interested in applying to be a bus driver, click here.