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.

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