Triad is turning to creative methods in an attempt to mitigate staffing shortages felt by school districts throughout the state.
The district filled several custodial and bus driver positions after hosting open interviews Saturday, Nov. 6, which included an opportunity to test drive school buses.
Superintendent Vickie Hoffman said the district has been especially affected by a statewide shortage in bus drivers.
“It’s been rough everywhere, not just Triad,” Hoffman said during Thursday’s Board of Education meeting.
To incentivize potential candidates, the board approved a $500 signing bonus for drivers – with half paid after 90 days driving and the other half after 180 days – in September.
Still, Hoffman said she wanted to more actively recruit staff members.
She said the district previously hosted open interviews for a volleyball coach position. While it “wasn’t very successful,” Hoffman said she felt it could be for bus drivers and custodians.
“I was calling (Director of Operations) Neil (Laughbaum) all morning saying, ‘If this doesn’t work, what else are we going to do?’” Hoffman said.
Despite any worries, Hoffman said the morning of interviews garnered five new staff members – two custodial employees and three bus drivers.
She said Triad currently has two open bus routes that will be filled by the drivers, while the third would be a substitute. Hoffman said the need is so great that she is confident the board would approve the hiring of another substitute driver, if a candidate is approved.
During the open interviews, each candidate was interviewed by Laughbaum and Hoffman. Potential drivers were also able to test drive an unoccupied bus with a current bus driver on board.
Hoffman said many candidates were “very appreciative” of the hands-on experience, as the prospect of driving a school bus can be intimidating.
Aside from the bonuses for bus drivers, Triad administrators have also implemented other incentives to encourage applicants.
Generally, custodian hours are 2:30-11 p.m. Hoffman said she understands that is not always a favorable schedule, so current custodians and candidates have been offered a start time of noon, except on nights with athletic events.
She said the district has also paid for the cost of fingerprinting for candidates undergoing background checks.
Hoffman said she is hopeful that the district will be able to hire several more candidates in the coming months.
The superintendent also noted that the district is “doing really well” in regard to cases of COVID-19.
She said there has only been one staff case and five student cases in the past six weeks.
“I’m thankful to have more kids here and not quarantining,” she said.
Hoffman said it feels as though the virus “ran through” the high school, then middle school before a group of elementary schoolers were affected.
“It’s been quiet since then,” she said.
Hoffman estimated that approximately 10% of high schoolers and middle schoolers are regularly wearing masks indoors. She said the amount is a bit higher in the elementary school, likely around 15%.