School gauges interest in van drivers for after-school transportation

BY BECKY UEHLING

GRANT TRIBUNE Correspondent

Perkins County Schools is exploring whether enough community members would be willing to step in as van drivers as the district looks to meet the transportation needs of rural parents.

In 2020, the district shifted to a hub-based bussing system due largely to a shortage of qualified bus drivers and rising costs, according to school officials. That system remains in place, with students transported to central pickup points in communities such as Madrid, Elsie and Venango, and north of Grant at the Trinity Lutheran Church.

Spearheaded by Grant mom Megan Apolius nearly a year ago, the school has been evaluating the wants and needs of rural families to determine if there is a desire—and a feasible way—to add a hybrid model combining hub routes with limited door-to-door service after school.

An extensive survey of rural families conducted by a community committee led by Apolius showed clear demand for additional transportation options. The results have been discussed at recent school board meetings. During its Thursday, April 16 meeting, board members requested Apolius and school administration begin gauging interest from residents in driving smaller vans, which would not require a commercial driver’s license (CDL), and determine whether enough drivers could be recruited to support the model.

Early planning indicates a need for multiple drivers—potentially six or more regular routes, along with additional backup drivers—to cover rural areas effectively. Administration said a pool of around 10 drivers would be ideal.

The district is specifically looking for drivers for the 2026–2027 school year, beginning in August. Van drivers would likely work weekday afternoon routes during the school year, with shifts of roughly two hours per day, generally from 3:15 to 5:15 p.m., Monday through Friday. The district would provide required training, and drivers would be covered under the school’s insurance. Pay for the position would be $48 per trip, according to Superintendent Mark Jolliffe.

School leaders emphasized that no final decisions have been made concerning transportation, and the district remains in an information-gathering phase only. Along with analyzing costs and logistics, officials are continuing to welcome input from both parents and potential drivers concerning the subject, and plan to make an interest form available on its website to gather feedback.

Jolliffe said the district will continue collecting data before bringing more concrete options to the school board in May, with a plan expected to hopefully be finalized at the June board meeting, he said.

Those with questions or comments, or who would like to express interest in serving as an afternoon van driver, can contact Jolliffe at 308-352-4735 or mark.jolliffe@perkinscountyschools.org.