Virginia House Bill HJR84

Virginia 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/12/22
• Refer: 1/12/22

Caption

Public school bus drivers; Department of Education to study root causes of shortages.

Impact

The study outlined in HJR84 will involve extensive surveys administered to current and former public school bus drivers to assess their satisfaction with existing working conditions. The objective is to identify potential improvements in areas such as pay, benefits, training, and overall employment support that could alleviate the driver shortages facing schools. This research aims to provide concrete evidence that could guide recommendations for necessary statutory, regulatory, or budgetary changes to enhance the conditions under which these essential workers operate.

Summary

HJR84 calls for the Department of Education to investigate the causes of the severe shortage of public school bus drivers in the Commonwealth. The bill highlights the importance of safe transportation for students as a critical aspect of an effective education system. Recognizing that driver shortages directly impact student safety and accessibility to education, the bill aims to gather insightful data on this pressing issue.

Contention

While there is a general consensus on the need to address the bus driver shortage, the outcomes of the study and subsequent recommendations may lead to contention among local school boards and lawmakers regarding funding and implementation of proposed changes. There may also be debates on how to balance improvements in working conditions with budgetary constraints faced by educational institutions. Ultimately, the findings of the Department's study could spark discussions on broader systemic issues within the education sector regarding recruitment and retention of vital support staff.