Chelsy Millner loves to welcome new people to the job. But driving a school bus means she doesn’t get to do that all that often.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic districts have struggled to fill bus driver positions. Although the constraint has eased some, nearly all respondents to the
Hop Skip Drive 2024 State of School Transportation Survey — 91% — reported a lack of drivers was affecting their districts.
One day several years ago, a pamphlet came home in the backpack of Millner’s preschooler. It talked about jobs at the school district. She initially applied in the food services department.
But the call she received was from the Allegan Area Educational Service Agency transportation department.
“I came in for an interview and never looked back,” she says.
She started out in 2019 as a bus aide on a route for children with disabilities and has since moved up to become a bus driver. The Allegan Area Educational Service Agency provides leadership, education, and services — including transportation — to the learners of districts in Allegan County.
Two years ago, Emily Millner joined her sister.
“It took a while for her to convince me, because I was afraid to drive a bus, but I’m so glad I did,” Emily Millner says. “When a kid smiles at you or tells you that you make a difference, it’s so rewarding.”
Connection
Emily Millner’s son has autism, so she has already experienced some of the same therapies as families on her route.
“He opened my eyes to there is a lot more to the world,” she says of her son. “There’s a lot of kids in this world who need more love. They need to feel like someone cares, like someone is listening to them.”
The thing is — the job isn’t always the easiest.
“This job has a whole different reward to it,” Chelsy Millner says. “It helps you so much. It’s helped me be a better mother. It has helped me in my relationships in general.”
A national bus driver shortage has affected the Allegan Area ESA as well.
Every staff member is driving — even mechanics and dispatchers. A driver shortage doesn’t mean new students stop joining the district; it doesn’t mean buses stop needing repairs (in fact, with mechanics focused on driving, buses break down more frequently); it doesn’t mean daily route adjustments stop when a student is sick.
On the job training
Walking in the door without any credentials, a bus driver can make $17 an hour. The organization provides in-house training and once that is complete, the rate jumps to as much as $25 an hour. Drivers receive health benefits and paid time off. They can work year-round.
Allegan Area ESA drivers are offered routes beyond the morning and afternoon to and from school.
They drive smaller buses with fewer kids.
“You do have more of a relationship not only with the students you serve, but with the families as well,” Transportation Supervisor Kelly Gall says.
That’s the best part of the job, the women all say.
“The kids — they make it such a rewarding experience. It’s our own little community,” Emily Millner says.
Parents, teachers, drivers all help each other.
“I’m retiring soon,” Gall says. “I can honestly say I would have retired a long time ago if it wasn’t for the team we have here. They are awesome. They are the type of people who would go above and beyond for anybody. Most of the time you don’t even have to ask. They say ‘hey, what can I do to help?’”
Chelsy Millner would love to be able to welcome new people to the job. For those interested in applying, visit
https://www.alleganaesa.org/live-feed#7245615 for more information.
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