School Business Insider: Innovation on Wheels – Combating the Bus Driver Shortage
Podcast Information
- Title: School Business Insider
- Host: John Brucato
- Description: ASBO International's official podcast where school business professionals and industry experts share their stories and explore important topics.
- Episode: Innovation on Wheels: Combating the Bus Driver Shortage
- Release Date: October 15, 2024
Introduction
In this compelling episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato delves into the nationwide challenge of the bus driver shortage affecting school districts across the United States. Highlighting innovative solutions, John interviews Liza Akinpura, Director of Adult and Community Education, and Graham Violino, Director of Transportation from the Kenmore Town of Tonawanda Union Free School District in New York. Together, they discuss a groundbreaking bus driver training program funded by a New York State Department of Labor grant, designed to address and mitigate the ongoing driver shortage.
Background and Context
John Brucato sets the stage by explaining the severity of the bus driver shortage nationwide, emphasizing its impact on essential transportation services within school districts. He introduces his guests, Liza Akinpura and Graham Violino, who have spearheaded an innovative training initiative in their district.
Liza Akinpura provides her background, detailing her seven-year tenure with the district and her previous experience in workforce development and grants at Erie2BOCES. Her role focuses on supporting programming through various funding sources, emphasizing workforce training and community involvement.
Graham Violino shares his extensive experience, having started as a bus driver in 2001 and now managing a fleet of 127 buses, 101 drivers, 43 attendants, and 7 mechanics. He underscores the challenges of overseeing such a large operation and the pressing need to find and retain qualified drivers.
Developing the Training Program
The conversation shifts to the inception of the training program. Liza Akinpura explains the collaborative efforts within the district to utilize a $250,000 grant from the New York State Department of Labor. The goal was to create a scalable solution to the driver shortage by training and licensing new drivers, not only to fill vacancies within their district but also to support neighboring districts.
Graham Violino highlights the initial gap: "When we started in March of 2023, we had about 100 runs but only 75-80 drivers," leading to the need to contract out 20% of the runs. The training program successfully brought these runs back in-house by the 2024-2025 school year.
Notable Quote:
"The bus driver shortage is not unique to Canton. In western New York alone, we're seeing an influx of school districts contracting out their transportation services instead of keeping it in-house because of the lack of drivers."
— Liza Akinpura [02:23]
Program Structure and Components
The training program is meticulously structured into cohorts of 8-10 participants, lasting approximately six weeks. It encompasses:
- Screening and Onboarding: Participants undergo application screening, health screenings, fingerprinting, and Board of Education approvals.
- Classroom Training: The initial two weeks focus on preparing for the CDL permit test, led by certified instructors.
- Behind-the-Wheel Training: Post-permit, participants receive practical driving training to prepare for their road tests.
- Incentives: Funded by the grant, participants receive financial incentives upon obtaining their permits and licenses.
Liza Akinpura emphasizes the program's accessibility:
"The program is offered at no cost to the participants. Private training companies were charging anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000, but our program covers all fees, costs, books, materials, plus $1,000 in incentives."
— Liza Akinpura [17:24]
Graham Violino adds that the structured incentives and comprehensive support make the program highly attractive and effective.
Addressing Challenges and Solutions
Implementing the program was not without challenges. Liza Akinpura and Graham Violino discuss key hurdles and the strategies employed to overcome them:
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Language Barriers: Early cohorts included participants who did not speak English as their first language, leading to dropouts. They addressed this by integrating support from ESL teachers to assist non-native speakers, exemplified by Kazim, a successful participant from Iraq.
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Diverse Experience Levels: Participants varied widely in their prior driving experience, necessitating differentiated instruction to cater to both novices and those with trucking backgrounds.
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Administrative Processes: Streamlining onboarding processes, including fingerprint clearance and health screenings, was essential. They refined these steps to ensure all participants met necessary requirements before cohort commencement.
Notable Quote:
"The first cohort had participants that couldn't complete the program due to language barriers. We've since integrated ESL support to help participants like Kazim succeed."
— Liza Akinpura [35:33]
Impact and Results
The program has yielded significant positive outcomes for the Kenmore Tonawanda School District:
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Reinstatement of Runs: By the 2024-2025 school year, the district successfully brought back all previously contracted runs, eliminating the need for external contractors.
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Enhanced Operational Efficiency: With a fully staffed transportation team, mechanics and office staff can focus on their primary responsibilities without being diverted to driving duties.
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Improved Department Culture: The influx of new, motivated drivers has revitalized the transportation department, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
Graham Violino reflects on the cultural shift:
"Seeing the shift in the culture of the Transportation Department and the infectious positive energy the new drivers bring has been incredible."
— Graham Violino [58:58]
Future Plans and Sustainability
Looking ahead, Liza Akinpura and Graham Violino outline ambitious goals for the program's expansion and sustainability:
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Regional Training Center: They aim to establish the Kenmore Tonawanda district as a regional hub for bus driver training, serving not just their district but neighboring ones as well.
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Diverse Recruitment: Plans include targeting specific populations such as veterans and non-native English speakers, and collaborating with organizations like Jericho Road Community Health Center to support migrant resettled individuals.
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Continuous Improvement: The program will continue to evolve, incorporating lessons learned to enhance efficiency and participant success rates.
Notable Quote:
"Our goal is to make this a sustainable part of our district and a regional training center where other districts can refer participants to us."
— Liza Akinpura [50:24]
Lessons Learned and Key Takeaways
The successful implementation of the training program offers valuable insights for other districts facing similar shortages:
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Collaborative Approach: Partnering with various departments and community organizations is crucial for comprehensive support and resource allocation.
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Flexibility and Adaptation: Being open to course corrections and adapting the program based on participant needs ensures continuous improvement and higher success rates.
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Comprehensive Support Services: Integrating case management and adult education services addresses diverse participant challenges, enhancing retention and job satisfaction.
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Community Engagement: Actively involving drivers in community events fosters a sense of pride and strengthens the connection between the transportation department and the community.
Notable Quote:
"Partnering with different departments and offering comprehensive support services have been key to our success."
— John Brucato [37:17]
Conclusion
In "Innovation on Wheels: Combating the Bus Driver Shortage," School Business Insider highlights a transformative effort by the Kenmore Tonawanda Union Free School District to tackle a critical staffing issue. Through strategic use of grant funding, collaborative partnerships, and a supportive training framework, Liza Akinpura and Graham Violino have not only alleviated the bus driver shortage within their district but also set a precedent for other districts to emulate. The program's success underscores the importance of innovation, community involvement, and adaptable strategies in addressing widespread challenges in the education sector.
Final Thoughts by Host:
"Your story is truly inspiring and showcases how proactive solutions can lead to lasting positive changes in school operations."
— John Brucato [59:09]
Stay tuned to School Business Insider for more insights and success stories from school business professionals around the world.