In the face of a potential shortage in school bus drivers, Limestone County Schools is putting out a call for anyone interested in the job.

The system transportation department will hold an informational meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, April 13, at the Clinton Street courthouse annex in Athens.

Transportation Director Rusty Bates said the meeting gives potential drivers the opportunity to learn how to obtain the proper license and certifications to operate a school bus. Attendees can also discuss the requirements for being hired and job expectations.

A certified instructor is on retainer by the system so all training is done in the county, said Bates. Drivers may work only four hours a day, but are classified as full-time employees by the state and are given benefits.

At the March meeting of the county schools board of education, Bates made his problem clear, explaining he is running all the drivers he has, including spares, as well as driving routes himself. By the end of the school year, three full-time drivers will retire and the only substitute driver will be promoted full time, leaving the system hurting, he said.

“I drive routes, our mechanics drive routes — it’s all hands on deck right now,” Bates said March 11.

The board is also mulling a plan to allow certified teachers to drive bus routes, or at least field trip routes. Teacher-drivers were utilized in the past, but the program was mismanaged and nixed before either Bates or current Superintendent Tom Sisk were hired, according to the board.

Another solution proposed at the March meeting was letting the system bear the cost for an applicant’s commercial driver’s license, background check and other supplemental materials. In return, the driver would sign a contract to work with the system for at least two years. Bates did not comment on whether that issue would be discussed at the April 13 meeting.

For more information about the job, contact the Limestone County Schools bus garage at 256-232-5130.