A Utah school bus driver who told elementary students she’d “shoot them” if another one questioned her driving has led the district to condemn and investigate the incident.
“We strongly condemn any threatening action or language directed toward others,” the district says in a statement shared with PEOPLE. “We expect all employees to create safe and nurturing environments free of verbal or physical threats. Appropriate action will be taken to ensure this matter is addressed and not repeated.”
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Also last week in Utah, a student filmed video of a separate incident involving a bus driver in the Tooele County School District, FOX 13 reported.
“It was apparent the students were trying to be helpful, and her response was not acceptable or conducive to our school district values,” the spokesperson adds. “The substitute driver has since been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into the incident.”
Both incidents occurred as school districts fromAlaskatoHawaiistruggle to find and retain school bus drivers.
“Finding bus drivers is a big issue here and elsewhere. In our case, we still need about 10 drivers to bring us to full capacity,” Toback said, the outlet reported.
“We don’t see the situation improving anytime soon,” he added.
The unmet need is an outgrowth of district hiring struggles during the pandemic, as jobs go unfilled across a variety of areas.
“A lot of times, people would choose driving a school bus as something to do in retirement,” said Kim Powell, chief operations officer for Charlottesville City Schools, reportedVirginia Public Media. “And with the pandemic, a lot of retirees reconsidered if that was the best type of work for them to be doing.”
In Indiana, Washington Township Schools Superintendent Dr. Nikki Woodson sent a video to parents in an effort to explain the bus driver shortage, reported NBC stationWTHR.
“Unfortunately, even after record high raises the past two years after incentive packages being offered after covering all training fees, after competitive wages and loyalty stipends, we are still unable to fill these positions,” Woodson said.
source: people.com
