By PETER DAY
Editor
Several school bus driver positions are expected to open up at the Lucerne Valley Unified School District over the next school year.
Two retirements, one in June and another next March, means the district will soon need a pair of drivers. The district is also considering hiring a third to ensure all routes are covered in the event a driver is unable to come to work due to illness or a family emergency.
“We have eight drivers and routes,” said Dee Patterson, the LVUSD transportation director. “It makes it difficult when they want to take time off. I’m the only sub, basically.”
According Patterson, her drivers are extremely dedicated, which enables her staff to serve the needs of district students and their families.
“The drivers have been really good about coming to work and fulfilling their responsibilities,” she said.
When they are not driving, some of the drivers work a few hours in the cafeteria, library or as campus aides to give them at least a four-hour shift.
“In small districts it happens a lot,” Patterson said.
Drivers will need to obtain a class B commercial driver license from the Department of Motor Vehicles. They will also need passenger and school “S” endorsements.
“That S endorsement qualifies them to drive a school bus in any state,” she said.
California also requires drivers to receiving training on escorting pre-k through 8th-grader students across the street.
Drivers must pass a written and driving test with the California Highway Patrol, and a physicial adminstered by the Department of Transportation also is required.
Drivers also must pay for a 20-hour classroom training.
In Lucerne Valley, drivers arrive at 7 a.m. to inspect their buses then drive to their pickup location. Later in the day, drivers complete their routes at about 4 p.m.
“This is a great job for somebody who’s just retired and looking for a little something to do,” Patterson said.
While anyone in the area can apply, Patterson encourages Lucerne Valley residents to considering applying for the positions.
“I would love to get people from here,” she said.
For more information on the school driver positions and requirements, call Dee Patterson at 760-248-6805.