As you may have figured from the announcements telling some Liberty bus riders to get on a different bus to get home, the Wentzville School District is facing some bus shortages. You may be asking yourself, “Should I be worried about this?” and the answer is, “Maybe.” The school district is doing all they can to help fix this problem, but it is still troublesome for many students who rely on the school buses to get them to and from school. 

Many bus drivers are out because they have tested positive for COVID-19 or they have been in contact with someone who has, but the Wentzville School District is doing everything they can to cover missing bus drivers, including raising hourly pay for drivers, actively recruiting new drivers, and educating staff members on how to stay healthy amidst the pandemic.

Because of the shortages, bus drivers have been working hard to compensate. Drivers, aides, mechanics, and office staff have been driving multiple routes trying to help.

If a bus route isn’t covered, then the student’s parent or guardian will be notified with a phone call, text, and email the night before that there will be no bus to pick up students the next day.

The district was hoping that after the long weekend bus drivers would return to driving but unfortunately, that isn’t the case. 

“We had drivers return and unfortunately we had more drivers go out too,” Mary LaPak, WSD Chief Communications Director said. 

The school district has been working hard and while most bus routes are covered there are still many that aren’t adding stress to students and parents. 

The WSD Transportation Department is currently hiring bus drivers and bus aides. Paid training will be provided to new hires, including training for drivers to obtain their CDL. Starting pay is $16.50 for drivers and $12.00 for aides. Applicants should enjoy working with children and have a clean driving record.

For additional information, please contact the Human Resources Department at (636) 327-3800 ext. 20353.