HumCo Office of Education is looking for bus drivers as back-to-school season begins

It’s an icon of school we are all familiar with. These magic school buses are a key part of the learning experience.

At the bus yard behind Glen Paul School in Cutten, the buses are getting prepped for a critical school year for bus drivers.

Humboldt County Office of Education has been experiencing a shortage of drivers for the region.

“I’ve replaced almost my whole team since I’ve been here in the last three years,” HCOE’s transportation secretary Christine Marney said. “I’ve had a lot of retirees. I’ve had a couple, several people move out of the area, you know, started a family and moved on and we still need to get the kids to school. The transportation needs in this rural area are pretty great.”

Drivers must be at least 18 years old and have a driver’s license plus about 20 hours of classroom and behind-the-wheel training each. Training for the position is paid for by HCOE.

“If I have an applicant who needs training for the applicant that’s the right fit, I’ll bring them on board. I’ll hire them to say drive liaison or do other duties as I am training them to become certified to be a bus driver,” Marney said.

Marney started driving a bus in 1999.

“I began my career many moons ago as a substitute driver for Fortuna High School, Cuddeback Union Elementary School and Bridgeville School districts,” Marney said. “School bus driving was an accidental career for me, but it turns out to be an amazing one. It’s a pretty good gig. And like I said, I’m an accidental bus driver, but I don’t regret a minute. It’s never boring.”

She also has some tips for students riding the bus to school.

“My best advice as a bus driver for over 20 years is sit down, relax, and let us get you to school,” Marney said. “Enjoy the ride, chat with your friends, and try not to be a big distraction to your bus driver, because our number one goal is the safety of the students.”

Those interested in joining the bus fleet for HCOE can do so at the Employment section of their website.