A new bill filed this week targets persistent school bus driver shortages that are disrupting transportation across Alabama school systems. State Representative Kenneth Paschal (R-Pelham) introduced House Bill 138, (HB138), a proposal that would allow certain retired educators and State employees to return to work as full-time school bus drivers without having their retirement benefits suspended.
School districts statewide have struggled to fill bus driver positions for several years, leading to delayed routes, disrupted schedules, and added pressure on families and students. Recruiting and retaining qualified drivers remains difficult as districts compete for limited labor.
“Among the most fundamental elements of providing children with a quality education is simply transporting them to school safely and on time each day because you can’t teach students if they can’t get to school,” Paschal said in announcing the measure. “This bill provides a practical solution that helps school systems meet an urgent need while maintaining responsible limits on the retirement system.”…