Tomah School District In Need of Bus Drivers

Tuesday, August 17th, 2021 -- 12:01 PM

The Tomah School District is in need of school bus drivers.

School districts across the state and nation are experiencing a significant shortage of school bus drivers. The Tomah Area School District is no exception. Currently, all staff trained in driving a school bus are being called upon daily to cover bus routes.

This includes all bus mechanics, the Transportation Supervisor and Director, as well as other maintenance, ground crew and custodial staff. Similarly, the Transportation Department office staff are used regularly as bus aides and van drivers.

This was the case for the entire ’20-’21 school year. Unfortunately, over the summer the situation worsened due to a significant number of retirements. The district’s Transportation Department has been trying to develop workable solutions for this critical shortage of bus drivers.

They are intentionally sharing this information with you at this time for a number of reasons because routes are likely to be combined or doubled, routes may be delayed, extracurricular and athletic events may be impacted.

So, how can you help? Consider driving. Interviews can be scheduled by calling (608) 374-7377.  Families who are able should consider self-transportation and/or carpooling to and from school to decrease pressure on transportation services.

Those within a reasonable distance should consider walking or bicycling to school. According to the CDC’s Health and Academic Achievement Report, this makes the students more ready to learn, and is great exercise.

Please let the District know if your student(s) do not require transportation so they can optimize routes as soon as possible. As a district, they are committed to continuing to provide the high-quality, safe transportation services that are a hallmark of the Tomah Area Schools Transportation Department.

Their goal is to continue accommodating the academic and extracurricular transportation needs of all of their students. The shortage of transportation staff may, however, force the District to deliver these services differently than they have been delivered in the past.

They will continue to actively recruit additional bus drivers, van drivers, and aides and will keep you informed if and when they may have to make adjustments to how their transportation services are currently delivered.

If you have any questions, please contact the Transportation Office at 608-374-7377.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.