A costly ride: Treasure Coast school bus transportation costs continue to increase

Getting students to school costs millions of dollars — and costs keep increasing.

The state provides some help, if only a fraction of what school districts need to keep buses on the road.

"The cost of traveling per mile has gone up triple fold," said St. Lucie County schools Transportation Director Jacunti Prince.

Increased fuel prices, insurance premiums and bus driver salaries have driven up costs, officials say. And districts are concerned.

St. Lucie schools is facing a $16.6 million deficit in transportation. The district spends $28.4 million transporting students, but gets only $11.8 million from the state Department of Education.

St. Lucie County hired a $205,000 consultant in June to find ways to reduce transportation costs. The consultant is working on a plan to balance school enrollment and get students to attend schools closer to their homes.

"The current (transportation) model is untenable financially," Superintendent Jon Prince told the School Board in June. "We can't continue to do that, as our growth continues to accelerate. Our growth is unsustainable over time."

Transportation deficits and high costs are not unique to St. Lucie schools.

Indian River County schools received $2.6 million from the state for the 2021-2022 school year, and spent $6.3 million. Martin County schools received $3.3 million from the state during the same time period and spent $6.2 million. St. Lucie was short again the same year, receiving $10.4 million from the state and spending $27.7 million.

"There's not a lot we can control," said Martin County schools Transportation Director Tom Hardin. "When it comes to busing and transportation, there's no shortcuts."

That means regular replacement of tires and servicing and replacing buses every 10 years or 200,000 miles, whichever comes first.

"The better the bus you have, the less it breaks down," Hardin said.

St. Lucie County has reviewed its routes to find ways to cut costs, streamlining the district's more than 300 routes to 275, said Terence O'Leary, the district's chief operations officer. Streamlining routes, he said, lowered labor costs and saved money.

Keeping bus driver salaries competitive

Treasure Coast districts say they currently are nearly fully staffed, although that status can change quickly. The districts are always hiring in order to ensure they have substitute drivers trained and extra drivers to handle field trips and athletic events.

"Our numbers ebb and flow," said Indian River County schools Transportation Director Jennifer Idlette. "We could be good one month, and down the next."

Turnover happens quickly, so the district always wants to have a steady supply of substitute bus drivers available. In the past, the district has had to merged afternoon bus routes because of shortages, Idlette said.

Much of the reason local districts are able to keep drivers, officials say, is because their salaries are competitive and drivers receive benefits.

In December, Martin County schools bumped up starting bus driver salary to $20 per hour, the highest on the Treasure Coast. The district was down 16 drivers at the time, Hardin said, and the increased pay did the trick. When Hardin returned from winter break in January, there were 10-15 qualified applicants ready to go to work, he said.

St. Lucie County drivers start at $17.56 per hour, while Indian River County pays $16 per hour for drivers who come with no experience.

Drivers must be at least 21 years old and have at least five years driving experience. Districts train drivers who come in without the required CDL license to drive a bus, and pay new recruits while they train, officials said. Training takes almost two months of classwork and learning the bus controls. Before taking the wheel solo, every new driver works with a veteran driver.

"We're looking for some people who are dependable — someone who wants a new and better career," said Indian River schools' trainer Tony Sears.

It's not just a matter of knowing how to drive a school bus, officials stressed.

"You've got to have that love (for children) and compassion," said Indian River County schools' trainer Angela McCutchen.

'The first face (children) see in the morning'

Longtime bus drivers say it's their love for children that keeps them in their jobs for so long.

Genise Croteau, 55, was a young mom in need of a job and childcare when she applied to Indian River County schools 31 years ago.

"I thought I could be off when the kids were off," she said. The plan worked. Croteau brought her children to the early route, before dropping them off at their elementary school. She'd get home, rest a little and do it all in reverse in the afternoon.

The job became much more for Croteau, who has had her bus students to her home for dinner and had beach picnics with them and their families. She's bought clothes and shoes for students who had none.

"I love children, and I found out it was my passion," she said. "I enjoy being with the children. I help them with their homework. Sometimes, they are not so happy when they get on. By the time they get off, I have them smiling."

Drivers say making their riders smile is an important part of the job.

"I know I'm the first face they see in the morning," said Michael Brown, 49, who has been driving a St. Lucie County schools bus for 17 years. "I want them to see that smiling face. We don't know what they go through when they're not with us."

Brown, a Fort Pierce native, was working at a juvenile detention center when a friend suggested he also drive a school bus.

"I love doing what I do," he said. "I have a passion for it. I love children. It's gratifying just being a part of their journey in life. I feel like I've played a part in that."

Longtime drivers say they take their jobs seriously to ensure they start their riders' day with a smile.

Martin County driver Alfreda Newton, 64, started driving a bus right after high school in 1977. Forty-four years later, she's still driving.

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"I love taking care of the kids and making sure they are safe," Newton said. "They are our future."

Her experience has taught her how to make her students smile, even when they're having a bad day.

"We are the first faces they see in the morning," Newton said. "We have to make sure they are safe."

Newton always has snacks onboard for students who tell her they're hungry. She sometimes has cooler of ice to help students who have been playing sports to wrap in a towel to cool down.

"I hate to hear a child say they are hungry," she said.

Colleen Wixon is the education reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers. Contact her at colleen.wixon@TCPalm.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Treasure Coast transportation costs outpaces state allocation money