You can take a TSC school bus for a test drive on Saturday. Here's what you need to know
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — While driving a school bus may sound like a slow job, the Tippecanoe School Corp. hopes it could be a change of pace for someone looking for a new career.
From 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, the TSC transportation department will host a test drive event at Wea Ridge Middle School, offering the public a chance to get behind the wheel of a school bus.
Chris Bearden, TSC's director of transportation, said in previous years the corporation has seen success through hosting these types of events. They hope to replicate that recruitment on Saturday. With both full-time and part-time positions available, Bearden said TSC currently employs about 120 drivers with a commercial driver's license (CDL) and a handful of drivers with a Department of Education (DOE) license.
"We are looking to fill all positions," Bearden said. "We always try to expect a number of occurrences every day where you're going to need to fill those routes when there is an absence."
The starting pay for full-time CDL drivers is $23.34 per hour, Bearden said, with DOE licensed drivers beginning at $19.07 per hour. For those who inquire about driving for the corporation, Bearden said he always encourages the pursuit of a CDL, as it offers further opportunity for pay, hours and benefits.
Brenda Fassnacht, a TSC bus driver and trainer for incoming drivers, said alongside the flexibility of a daily work schedule, one of the biggest benefits to driving a school bus she hears from fellow drivers focuses more on the precious cargo.
"I hear a lot from our drivers that the opportunity to invest in the next generation without the typical full-time job lifestyle is what they love most — you leave your work at work, but at the end of the day you're still making a difference," Fassnacht said. "I have drivers who've driven buses for 20 and 30 years, and they really get to know their families. When drivers get to know your kids by name, it gives everybody more peace of mind, and kids behave better when they know their driver cares and has their parents' backs."
Driving a large vehicle like a school bus sounds intimidating, but Bearden said coming to an event like this, where participants can safely drive a bus under professional supervision around the school property is a good icebreaker.
For experienced drivers like Fassnacht, she explained there are many other added benefits, especially for parents of school-aged children, to become drivers, as it allows for further opportunity to be on their children's schedule while getting paid.
"This is a great way to stay involved in your kids' lives and not be stuck behind a desk all day," Fassnacht said. "Being able to see the sun rise each morning sounds like a silly thing, but I would miss that if I was working a different job."
Jillian Ellison is a reporter for the Journal and Courier. She can be reached via email at jellison@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @ellison_writes.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: You can take a TSC school bus for a test drive this week. Here's how
