Caddo Schools announces new steps to address bus driver shortage

SHREVEPORT, La. — Caddo Parish Public Schools is taking additional steps to address ongoing transportation problems caused by a shortage of qualified school bus drivers.

Superintendent Keith Burton said the district has 248 bus routes, with about 12 currently uncovered. That means more than 95% of routes are filled each day, but Burton acknowledged the current level of service is not good enough for families waiting on buses.

During a press conference on Monday, Burton announced several changes taking effect immediately.

Caddo will identify and utilize qualified district employees who already have the necessary certifications to drive a school bus. That could include coaches, paraprofessionals, mechanics, administrators and other employees. The district is also increasing compensation for employees and substitute drivers who take on additional route coverage.

The district is also focusing on communication with parents.

Burton said families will receive more consistent information about route disruptions, including morning and afternoon updates. Parents whose routes are affected will receive notifications by text message or email as early as possible.

Caddo is asking parents to make sure their contact information is current in JCampus so the district can reach them with transportation updates.

Another major change involves bus tracking. Caddo currently has GPS technology that allows district employees to monitor buses in real time. The district is working to make that information available to parents.

Once implemented, parents will be able to see a bus's location on a map, track its progress, determine whether it has reached or left certain stops, view estimated arrival times and receive alerts when supported by the technology.

Burton said the district will continue recruiting new drivers, including retired drivers and people with commercial driving experience.

The superintendent also acknowledged the financial challenge of attracting school bus drivers, saying drivers can often earn more in the private sector with the same commercial driver's license.

Caddo's transportation call center will continue operating to help families with transportation concerns.

Burton said the district is also working to notify parents earlier when a bus route cannot be covered in the afternoon, rather than leaving schools to make last-minute calls to families.

The district said students should not be penalized when they are late because of a significant transportation problem.

Burton acknowledged the changes will not solve the driver shortage immediately but said the district is making transportation a priority.

"Transportation is not just an operations issue," Burton said. "It's an instructional issue. It's a family service issue."

Caddo officials are asking anyone interested in becoming a school bus driver to contact the district. The district says bus drivers receive a salary along with benefits, including insurance and retirement.