Dowagiac Union Schools overcomes bus driver shortages

DOWAGIAC, Mich. -- The Dowagiac Union School system is facing bus driver shortages but overcoming them in unique ways.

The district was forced to cancel a route this morning due to illness. The decision was made in an effort to keep children from having to stay out at the bus stop in cold temperatures to wait for another bus.

The school is short three bus drivers right now, and those routes are being filled by transportation department employees who weren’t hired for that role.

To help bring in new drivers, the administration upped starting pay, added a $500 sign-on bonus, $500 retention bonus and $50 weekly attendance bonus.

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