For Immediate Release
Contact: Jeremy Davison, Superintendent
Paw Paw Public Schools
269-415-5200
(Paw Paw, MI) To better address the ongoing shortage of bus drivers, Paw Paw Public Schools (PPPS) has recently awarded a contract to Michigan Educational Transportation Services (METS) to provide transportation staffing assistance. Effective immediately, the METS staffing team will begin working with the PPPS Transportation Department to hire temporary substitute drivers on an as-needed basis.
The METS Temporary to Permanent Staffing model is a tool to help school districts deal with the nationwide school bus driver shortage by providing a transportation staffing service model accessible to all public schools, including those with transportation employees covered under a collective bargaining agreement.
“Like other districts, the ongoing shortage of bus drivers is something we are working hard to resolve,” said PPPS Superintendent Jeremy Davison. “While there is no quick fix, we are optimistic that through our new partnership with METS we will be in a better position to cover routes and provide transportation for our students."
There are numerous benefits to the district:
The district has access to the recruiting and onboarding efficiencies of METS without any long-term commitment to the temporary substitute employees.
METS temporary substitute service provides no threat to any current PPPS positions covered under the collective bargaining agreement.
When a permanent district opening becomes available for a regular route, METS temporary substitute employees are eligible for district hire, increasing the number of staff in the department to provide effective transportation services.
“As a district, we are fortunate to have such a dedicated team in our transportation department. Their flexibility and willingness to step up in the face of these staffing challenges has not gone unnoticed,” concluded Superintendent Davison. “Going forward, our hope is that through our partnership with METS, this will help ease the burden for our staff and send a strong signal to our families that we are looking for innovative ways to provide safe and reliable transportation for our students."