All school buses are buses, but not all buses are school buses.

Art Campbell has seen many employees of Campbell Bus Lines leave the company because driving a school bus is a demanding job.

Not only does it require the part-time workers to take an unorthodox schedule, but drivers have to get several more certifications than truck drivers, and some need to be renewed regularly.

“We have to find employees who fit what we have to offer,” Campbell said. “There is only so much you can do to recruit them.”

The coronavirus pandemic hit the company hard, according to Campbell, with many drivers opting to take other driving jobs because of the increasingly erratic schedule caused by the pandemic.

Most school districts contract with a bus company to provide transportation to all school students.

With the 2021-2022 school year approaching, bus companies and school districts across Butler County are searching for drivers to fill out their routes. Campbell Bus Lines serves Slippery Rock Area School District and Moniteau School District in Butler County.

Alfonso Angelucci, superintendent of Slippery Rock Area School District, said the district would advertise the need for bus drivers.

Butler Area School District is also advertising the Valley Lines' need for drivers and bus monitors through a post on its website.

Superintendent Brian White said some drivers are reportedly taking on longer routes.

“Enrollments have gone down, but the physical distance of our community doesn't change,” White said. “We can only cut down on routes so much.”

Diana Braun has been a school bus driver for years, and continues in her retirement to drive for W.L. Roenigk Inc., which serves South Butler School District.She said the work schedule, which requires her to work for a few hours every few hours each weekday, is good for her, but a difficult concession for others.“It breaks up your day,” Braun said. “I get paid for a morning run and afternoon run. Most people today that need a job need a full-time job.”Campbell said the part-time nature of the job is a difficult hurdle for many potential drivers. He said once they obtain a commercial driver's license, some drivers move to a trucking job, which can have higher pay and more standard hours.Braun said aside from the ability to apply for unemployment over the summer, bus drivers don't get any other benefits.They also have to “jump through hoops” to hold on to school bus driver's certifications. School bus drivers need a Class B CDL, they have to take hours of classroom training annually and are mandated to be child-abuse reporters.“The hoops you have to jump through to drive are the real problem,” Braun said. “We have to do a passenger endorsement, an air brake endorsement. We have to get recertified every four years, which means you have to take a test every four years.”The coronavirus pandemic put even more responsibility on school bus drivers.“There is no ventilation on buses, so drivers had to emphasize cleaning,” Campbell said. “Everyone has to keep their masks on on a bus too.”

School districts are planning for another school year potentially affected by coronavirus. It is mandated federally that masks be worn on public transportation, and this includes school buses.David Foley, superintendent of South Butler School District, said at a special board meeting July 27 that the kids not wearing a mask on their school bus could create a safety issue if they are turned away.“If a student would show up at the bus stop without a mask, we're going to offer that student a mask,” Foley said. “If they refuse to put one on, we're sending them back. They have to have a mask on the bus.”Many school bus drivers as well had to implement assigned passenger seating to contain the number of kids in direct contact with one another. Campbell said compounding challenges have driven school bus drivers away forever.“Last year was so challenging (that) a lot of people don't want to come back,” he said.Despite the challenges of the job, Braun said it is a passion for many drivers, including herself.“I love this job, I really do; it's the kids,” Braun said. “Not everybody can do this job.”