Earlier this week, I noted an upswing in school-bus-related violence. Many readers mentioned that adult chaperones might help. But a link from Illuminaria suggests that schools might not have much luck finding volunteer chaperones when they can't even manage to find drivers.
Wanted: Drivers to transport dozens of often-unruly students to school on a 38-foot bus through congested suburban traffic.Requirements: Extensive training, criminal background checks and physical exams. Sincere affection for young people is strongly preferred, even when they're misbehaving.
Starting salary: $13,920.
Add noisy working conditions to the job description, and it's not surprising that many school districts are having a tough time hiring bus drivers...
Megan Williams, a mother of four, thinks potential bus drivers don't want to put up with disrespectful children, for which she blames parents.
"I am part of the problem. I have four boys. They are the kind that don't sit still and say, 'Yes, ma'am, no, ma'am,"' Williams said. "I drive my van with my four kids in it and that's enough. I can't imagine a bus full of them."
It seems no one wants the responsibility of a bunch of other parents' children - especially when, as it seems these days, parents no longer teach manners at home.
Posted by kswygert at June 21, 2005 02:40 PM