DPS Reports 100% Route Coverage Under Rotational Plan

Durham Public Schools has seen 12 bus drivers graduate from its Love the Bus 100 recruitment program since September – out of a total pool of more than 200 candidates.

That’s according to a presentation in the agenda packet for Thursday’s Board of Education meeting, where district transportation leadership will give an update about recruitment, as well as impacts of the rotational coverage plan that remains in effect until Jan. 17.

The rotational plan, which calls for families to provide their own school transportation at least once a week, has resulted in 100% coverage of DPS routes between Dec. 2-13, according to transportation officials.

Its's unclear yet how the plan has affected school attendance for families unable to provide their own transportation.

What’s involved in becoming a Durham school bus driver?

• First, candidates express interest with an application and form.
• Then, they clear mandatory checks of their driving record and criminal history.
• Third, they go through 4-day class instruction and test for their commercial driver’s license, get a clean drug screening, and pass a Department of Transportation physical.
• Fourth, they hold the CDL permit for 14 days before behind-the-wheel training and road test so they can receive their passenger and school endorsements.

As of Dec. 16:

• 160 potential bus drivers have applied or filled out an interest form.
• 37 have passed criminal background checks and DMV driver clearance.
• Seven went through the commercial driver’s license class, drug test, and DOT physical.
• Eight are in the 14-day permit hold phase, taking their 4-day behind-the-wheel class and test.
• Two have completed driver training.

Transportation staff also are expected to detail plans for proposed “family responsibility zones” and express bus stops that could be implemented in January as the rotational coverage plan winds down.

Responsibility zone is another way of saying "walk zone" - areas within 1.5 miles of DPS elementary schools in which the district could ask families to manage their own school transportation. Walking can be a dangerous proposition without adequate sidewalks and other safety infrastructure. Driving children to school can be challenging for parents who lack an automobile or whose work schedules prohibit them from handling mid-afternoon pickup detail.

Other topics on the agenda include:

• Review and potential approval of a more detailed classified personnel reduction-in-force policy.
• Consideration of the top options for board training and consultation, including Effective School Boards and Hazard, Young, Attea, and Associates.
• Discussion about sustainability of the district’s Chromebook inventory.
• An update on priority three of the DPS strategic plan: recruiting and retaining staff.

The consent agenda, which could be voted on without board discussion, includes:

• $2.1 million for Bliss Products and Services to replace equipment and resurface at DPS playgrounds, including about $165,000 for Creekside Elementary and $41,000 for Parkwood Elementary. The agenda also includes a request for North Carolina Education Lottery funds to cover the expense.
• $304,410 to cover contracts with B and B Triangle Enterprise Inc.; K and R Building Solutions LLC; DL Wade Landscaping; and Faison Home Services for districtwide lawn care and grounds maintenance.
• $157,847 for Royalwood Associates to replace the main gymnasium floor at Lowes Grove Middle School due to damage from Hurricane Helene flooding.
• A request for qualifications/proposals for a board attorney and legal services.
• Overnight field trips, including Jordan High School’s request to send five students and two chaperones to Atlanta for the HBCU Cheer Combine Workshop and Recruitment Fair on Dec. 20 and Lakewood Elementary School’s two March 2025 trips, sending fourth graders to Pine Knoll Shores and fifth graders to Washington, D.C.
• Approval of $217,942.75 expense payment to Mind Your Business for DPS employee and volunteer background checks.