Broken Arrow School District Holds Job Fair, Hiring Bus Drivers

Broken Arrow Public Schools needs more bus drivers by the beginning of next semester to help fill a shortage they’re seeing because the pandemic has so many people in quarantine. The school district said with everything going on, they have to fill 25 vacancies. 

Monday, the district interviewed people on the spot for anyone looking for a new office on wheels. 

“It seems like a career I can get into because it’s long term and they said no matter what they’re not going to go out of business," said DanJuan Carter. 

Carter said he recently lost his job in pipe manufacturing because of the pandemic and thought he would try his luck with a new career. 

Richard Hubert is a bus driver for Broken Arrow and said they saw several parents at their hiring event. 

“Several parents have come in because they’ve heard our cry for help and they want to help out. They don’t necessarily want to become a bus driver full time. We have provisional part time drivers and that might fit them perfectly," said Hubert.

School districts all over Green Country also have bus driver shortages. Tulsa Public Schools said it’s currently down 35 bus drivers compared to being down 15 drivers at the same time last year. Jenks Public Schools needs to hire four bus drivers. Union recently suspended bus services temporarily because of a bus driver shortage. The shortage is putting a strain on those who are driving. 

“We have some drivers doing double routes, we have all of the mechanics driving buses, even some office staff and if the mechanics are driving buses they are unable to work on the buses on a regular basis," said Hubert. 

Hubert said they need to fill part time and full-time positions. Broken Arrow said they'll pay for the necessary training to get the required commercial drivers license. Carter said he's grateful to hear that. 

“They’re going to take care of everything including me and my family," said Carter.

You can still fill out an application online HERE.