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Stay-at-home mom becomes bus driver, helping to alleviate shortage in Granite City School District | St. Louis News Headlines


GRANITE CITY, Sick. (KMOV.com) – For the primary time this faculty yr, the Granite Metropolis College District is providing transportation to and from faculty to all college students.

Previous to this week, solely elementary aged college students had been assured busing, because the district underwent a extreme bus driver scarcity. College students in grades 5 by means of 12 had been pressured to seek out one other technique to get to high school, resulting in dropping attendance charges, in line with the district.

The Granite Metropolis College District introduced Wednesday its bus transportation will resume regular operations for all routes in any respect faculties on Nov. 1.

“I am so appreciative, figuring out this neighborhood pulls collectively the way in which it has throughout this,’ mentioned Stephanie Cann, Superintendent of Granite Metropolis College District. “From getting rides, doing every part…it has been wonderful.”

In accordance with the district, throughout the third quarter of 2021, it acquired 115 purposes from perspective bus drivers. In a typical third quarter, that quantity is nearer to 30. Whereas the speed of these making use of really turning into drivers is about 20 %, the district is happy with the progress it has made.

“Between our marketing campaign, Illinois Central College Bus and the native media, we have been actually profitable,” mentioned Cann.

Information 4 first highlighted the scarcity in October, talking with drivers who mentioned they had been overloaded and in determined want of extra individuals coming aboard. Within the 24 hours after the story aired, the district mentioned it acquired 14 purposes. Inside seven days, it noticed 27 purposes.

Heather Morris is in her first week of her new bus route. After being a stay-at-home mother for 12 years, she mentioned she felt compelled to assist her neighborhood.

“I simply noticed the disaster in our neighborhood and the affect it was having on everyone, and I simply felt like I wanted to do one thing to assist everyone out,” she mentioned.

She utilized, went by means of the coaching course for her business drivers license and handed her check. Now, she’s shuttling college students to and from faculty.

“It was a fairly thrilling expertise to be trustworthy, and I’ve liked each step of it and I am pleased to be the place I’m, I actually am,” she mentioned.

She admits it may be intimidating, however she’s getting used to the sensation of driving a bus. She and others like her are the one purpose the district is now in a position to reinstate its bus routes.

“It makes me really feel actually good that I am serving to out my neighborhood,” she mentioned. “I’ve a daughter who’s a senior and I understand how difficult it may be for fogeys who should get their youngsters to and from faculty once they work.”

In accordance with the district, 2,850 college students experience the bus on a regular basis and it hopes to proceed that effort.

“We simply actually respect our drivers who’ve stepped up,” mentioned Cann. “Take a look at the distinction they’re making…we’ve got youngsters on buses.”

Copyright 2021 KMOV (Meredith Company). All rights reserved





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