The Jefferson County Board of Education has approved a new recruitment and retention plan aimed at strengthening its school transportation workforce as the district continues working to fill vacant bus driver positions.

District officials said Jefferson County operates more than 500 daily bus routes but is currently short at least 30 drivers. While many of those routes have been covered by substitute drivers, some families have had to arrange their own transportation when drivers were unavailable.

Recruitment Incentives Target New Drivers

The district’s new recruitment plan includes a financial incentive for newly hired drivers who complete their first three months of employment. According to Transportation Director Kevin Snowden, the payment is intended to help offset the costs associated with earning a commercial driver’s license (CDL), obtaining required permits, and completing background checks. District leaders hope the incentive will encourage more applicants to begin the certification process and help fill vacant routes.

Extra Route Pay Supports Existing Drivers

Current drivers who volunteer to cover additional routes will receive an extra $90 per day under the approved plan. District officials said the incentive is designed to maintain transportation service while recruitment efforts continue and additional drivers complete training.

Jefferson County currently has about 30 vacant routes. Although substitute drivers have helped cover many of those assignments, some routes have remained without permanent coverage, requiring families to make alternative transportation arrangements.

Attendance Incentives Focus on Retention

The recruitment plan also includes attendance bonuses of up to $750 for drivers who maintain strong attendance throughout the school year. District officials said rewarding consistent attendance is another way to improve route reliability while recognizing employees who continue reporting to work during the ongoing staffing shortage.

Snowden said the district currently has seven prospective drivers expected to complete the certification process in the coming weeks, providing additional support as hiring efforts continue.

District leaders said the combination of hiring incentives, additional route pay and attendance bonuses is intended to strengthen staffing levels while improving transportation reliability for students and families.

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Last Updated: September 1, 2026

Source: WBRC News