If you were waiting for the school bus to pick you up and take you to school one morning and noticed that the school’s superintendent had arrived to pick you up, how weird would that be? Isn’t the superintendent supposed to be involved in the school’s upper management and be taking care of more important administrative duties? While that is true, this superintendent has started being a part-time bus driver for the school he oversees. So what made him take on this role? Let’s find out.
Many industries were affected by the pandemic, including the education sector. But the education and transportation departments have had a hard time finding enough bus drivers for the past few years. All of this is because of the pandemic that spread around the world in late 2019. As a result, people all over the world were badly affected in terms of employment.
Img Src: foxnews.com
During the pandemic, schools were closed, and bus companies couldn’t make enough money to maintain their personnel. What used to bring in $173 million now became nothing. Even though the government helped bus companies, it wasn’t enough. So, they were forced to let go of their drivers.
Img Src: amazonaws.com
With their only means to earn a living gone, the unemployed bus drivers had to find other ways to make money by getting another job. So, they looked for jobs outside and inside the transportation industry. As the restrictions on the pandemic began to ease, most became successful in finding jobs elsewhere. But this also meant that they probably wouldn’t be returning to their old jobs as bus drivers once schools reopened.
Img Src: mmbiz.qpic.cn
But when the schools opened again, it was hard to get the bus drivers back to the job since they were already working somewhere else. This led to a shortage all over the country. While others did step in to fill their spots, there was still a shortage of drivers. Texas asked teachers and coaches to drive the bus before school, while Massachusetts sent in the National Guard to do the job.
Img Src: greeleytribune.com
The man who stepped up in Kersey, Colorado, was the head of the school district. Dr. Jeremy Burmeister is Platte Valley RE-7 School District Superintendent. Before he goes to work, he takes the kids to school on the school bus. He would arrive at each stop wearing his coat and tie for work, which is unusual for a bus driver.
Img Src: greeleytribune.com
When Dr. Burmeister stepped up, it gave other faculty members, such as principals, teachers, and staff, the confidence to do the same. Dr. Burmeister explained his logic “I think it’s important for me, in my position – right, wrong, or indifferent – to lead by example A different purpose.”
Img Src: greeleytribune.com
He starts his day with the usual safety checks and then picks up the students. This was his solution to the lack of bus drivers. Dr. Burmeister wanted to do this for two reasons, one of which was the country’s severe shortage of school bus drivers. As district superintendent, he had to do something to fill the gap. This made other school principals, teachers, and staff more likely to follow suit.
Img Src: shareably.com
He says, “I do enjoy it. It gives me an opportunity to connect with kids.” It also shows how he treats the kids on the bus. He says hello to the kids when they get on the bus and also tells them to have a good day and do well in school as he drops them off. These interactions with kids are what made him come to enjoy the job.
Img Src: shareably.com
Some of the students think it’s strange that the superintendent drives the bus. Still, they thought it was cool. They liked that he was polite and talked to them about school every morning. It was nice of him to do that. That makes up for his driving which they stated was “just okay”. He agreed that was a fair review, though.
Img Src: shareably.com
Dr. Burmeister doesn’t do this every day; he does it only when he has time. But he said that driving a bus is the best part of his day when he has the time and the chance to do it. He sees this as a chance to get to know the kids and hear about their school experiences, which could help him in his job as the district’s superintendent.