And the number of students in the district keeps growing. Howell resident Karen Cronkhite has resorted to picking up her children from school. They spend almost an hour on the bus. Add a few drivers who are sick or out on disability and it becomes an even greater problem. In Pontiac, where the school bus system is privatized, staff workers with a commercial license end up driving buses when people call in sick.
Kids walk a little farther so the driver can pick up a larger group of kids.
That helps, but it's a difficult thing. Even administrators concede it's not an easy job or a job that fits for everybody. The configuration of the schedule becomes a difficulty. We're looking for those people who have taken early retirement and want to work, but don't want to work a full day. And want to pick and choose the days they work.