COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — A Central Ohio school bus driver scheduled to appear in court this week has yet to face a judge after police said he caused a crash that nearly killed a child this semester within the Groveport Madison School District. An ABC6 On Your Side Investigation reveals the driver cited started driving a school bus for the district last year with several traffic violations already on his record.
This incident is part of a troubling trend, as another area school bus driver was recently found guilty of another serious crash within the Delaware City School District. That driver was able to keep his job as the district was short of seven drivers and experiencing a vacancy rate of over 10%.
The Ohio Association for Pupil Transport has highlighted the state’s school bus driver shortage, calling it a crisis. A recent survey revealed that 64% of nearly 200 participating school districts have had to eliminate, consolidate, or delay bus routes due to the shortage. Additionally, 75% of districts reported that administrators are doubling as bus drivers, and 84% cited retention and recruitment as major challenges…