BEAUMONT, Texas — The Beaumont Independent School District needs bus drivers for the upcoming 2023 - 24 school year and they're trying to find drivers now.
Currently the district is emphasizing all auxiliary jobs such as bus drivers, child nutrition, custodial, police, transportation and more according to their website.
The district held a job fair on Wednesday at West Brook High School but if you missed it you can still apply online.
Currently, hired applicants will receive a $700 according to the BISD website.
"We want them to want to bring your kids to school, so they can start their day and get their education. We always say education starts with us, and it ends with us because our bus drivers are the first face that the kids see in the morning. So we take that very seriously," said BISD Director of Transportation, Todd Coleman.
Coleman takes pride over his team of bus drivers. He says he does it for the kids.
"Once you become a bus driver and you are driving these kids when you go to the supermarket they will point to their mother and say that's my bus driver. They will grow up and become successful people in life. See you and go that was my bus driver in the 8th grade," he said.
Coleman is encouraging others to take the leap and apply.
"We want to make sure that we're having the best people possible to drive our kids so we want people that are conscience about their driving even before they come join our team,: he said.
Coleman knows a lot of prospective drivers are nervous but ensures his team will do the best they can to put you at ease.
"Then you'll see hey maybe this is not as intimidating as I thought it was and so I probably will be able to do this. The team that we have at BISD we're going to train you and have you prepared all along the way," he said.
Coleman says pay for CDL bus drivers with a full Class B CDL starts at $17 and goes up to about $23 depending on your experience level.
Fully staffing this job is necessary.
"All after-school activities, the tutorial programs, the after practice. We want them to have a full education in BISD and all the transportation needs we want to be able to provide those," Coleman said.
BISD's next hiring event is July 19, 2023 from 9 a.m. to noon at the district's annex building at 4315 Concord Dr.
To get the job you'll need to be at least 18-years-old and have a high school diploma or a GED.
You'll also need a valid class B Texas Commercial Drivers License with passenger and air brake endorsements.
Potential drivers must also...
- Have an "acceptable" driving record
- Pass an alcohol and drug test
- Complete required bus driver safety training course
- Follow written and verbal instructions
- Communicate effectively
- Have a knowledge of student discipline procedures
- Be able to manage student behavior
- Be able to operate a bus
Here's the responsibilities and duties of a BISD bus driver...
- Follow assigned route and adhere to established schedules.
- Drive a bus to and from extracurricular activities.
- Check bus for mechanical defects before and after each operation and notify supervisor of needed repairs.
- Report all accidents, vehicle damage, student injuries, and mechanical failures. Complete required reports.
- Provide all documentation required by state regulations and/or departmental guidelines.
- Keep assigned bus clean.
- Supervise students while they board and depart the bus and cross the street.
- Communicate with campus administrators and parents on a daily basis concerning student behavior while on the bus.
- Maintain discipline; report student discipline problems to appropriate campus administrators.
- Instruct students on safe riding rules and regulations.
- Observe all traffic laws and safety regulations for school buses.
- Before driving, inspect bus by checking gauges, tires, lights, brakes, and steering to ensure bus is safe to operate.
- Check and maintain emergency equipment such as first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and reflectors.
- Correct unsafe conditions in work area that could cause an accident and inform supervisor of any conditions that are not correctable immediately.
- Report any hazardous conditions along the bus route.
- Operate two-way radio equipment to communicate with transportation office.
- Attend and complete required safety training programs.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.