SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Districts Working to Keep Paying School Bus Drivers During Coronavirus Closings

Amid school closings across the U.S. prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, some districts ensure drivers continue to be paid. In some cases they are enlisting them to help feed students during the shutdown.

Nicole Schlosser
Nicole SchlosserFormer Executive Editor
March 16, 2020
Districts Working to Keep Paying School Bus Drivers During Coronavirus Closings

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic causing school closings nationwide, districts are ensuring drivers continue to be paid, in some cases by enlisting them to help feed students during the shutdown. Photo courtesy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

2 min to read


Amid the COVID-19 pandemic causing school closings nationwide, districts are ensuring drivers continue to be paid, in some cases by enlisting them to help feed students during the shutdown. Photo courtesy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Amid the declaration of a national emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic causing school closings nationwide, some districts are ensuring drivers continue to be paid, in some cases by enlisting them to help feed students during the shutdown.

In Atlanta, Ga., The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that seven school districts they reached out to are working to maintain base wages for the majority of their employees. Meanwhile, starting Monday, Gwinnett County Public Schools bus drivers will deliver meals to 68 sites throughout the district area, according to the district's Facebook page.

As South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster announced on Sunday that all public schools would close from Monday through March 31, Molly Spearman, the state education superintendent said that teachers will continue to be paid as well as staff such as cafeteria workers and bus drivers, Greenville News reports.

Additionally, in Massachusetts, Framingham Public Schools will continue to pay for school bus service during the school closures, which started on Wednesday after an area resident tested presumptive positive for COVID-19, Framingham Patch reports.

Lincoln Lynch, the district’s executive director of finance and operations, told the news source that although the drivers may not be district employees, “ … we consider them to be such an important part of our student's experiences here at Framingham Public Schools and value them as if they were our employees."

“We will continue to share resources to help families cope with this evolving situation as we all work to support each other during this unprecedented time,” the district stated in an announcement about the school closings on its website.

A Kentucky district is also getting meals to students while schools are shut down. Fayette County Public Schools is offering boxed breakfasts and lunches for those 18 years old or younger at 115 school bus stops and 18 school locations, according to Lexington Herald Leader.

More Management

A close-up side view of a yellow Switzer-CARTY school bus parked in a bus yard, with the contractor's name displayed on the side panel and additional school buses visible in the background.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseAugust 7, 2026

Switzer-CARTY Enters the U.S. with New Acquisition

The Canadian contractor’s acquisition of Minnesota-based Agnes Corporation marks its first cross-border expansion into the United States and adds 350 vehicles.

Read More →
Students wearing backpacks line up to board a yellow school bus, each holding an NFC-enabled student ID card to scan as they enter. The image illustrates student ridership tracking technology that records boarding activity in real time.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseAugust 6, 2026

BusRight Adds New Rider Tracking Technology

Safety Pass is an NFC-based student ridership tracking solution that provides real-time boarding and drop-off data to improve school bus safety and family communication.

Read More →
A red and white image of someone holding a cell phone with text reading "EverDriven Launches RideAware App With Student Ride Visibility."
Managementby Staff and News ReportsAugust 5, 2026

EverDriven Launches RideAware App With Real-Time Student Ride Visibility

The updated platform’s new features improve communication among caregivers, districts, and drivers while streamlining trip updates.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Students boarding a school bus with text reading "New Riders, Strong Starts. Help every student feel confident on day one."
Managementby Elora HaynesAugust 5, 2026

How School Transportation Departments Can Help Acclimate New Riders to the Bus

Here's how transportation departments can turn first-day jitters into confidence for students and parents alike.

Read More →
Multiple generations of the Kobussen family posing in front of a school bus.
ManagementAugust 3, 2026

Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Nearly 90 Years of Safely Transporting Wisconsin Students

From one farmer's act of service to a fourth-generation family business, Kobussen Buses reflects on nearly 90 years of earning the trust of Wisconsin families.

Read More →
Graphic for School Bus Fleet's "Changing Lanes" July 2026 personnel roundup featuring headshots of six industry professionals: Jamie Smith (AMF Buns), Dan Strock (Pro-Vision), Kyndra Webb (HopSkipDrive Council), Jared Schnader (CALSTART), Alycia Gilde (CALSTART), and Micah Enterz (Kooner Fleet Management Solutions), displayed on an orange geometric background.
Managementby StaffJuly 31, 2026

Changing Lanes: AMF Bruns, Pro-Vision, CALSTART, HopSkipDrive, & Kooner

Check out who's been hired, promoted, and appointed to leadership positions at various school transportation industry suppliers and nonprofits.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Promo graphic for the 18th National Congress on School Transportation, featuring a conference audience background and text reading “May 4–6, 2029, St. Louis, Missouri,” alongside the NCST logo.
Managementby Staff and News ReportsJuly 29, 2026

NCST Announces 18th Congress Event Dates, New Committees

The National Congress on School Transportation moves to St. Louis in May 2029, convening delegates and industry representatives to discuss new best practice recommendations. Now, the new committee chairs have been named.

Read More →
Two school buses parked in front of the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum in Denver.
Managementby Amanda HuggettJuly 28, 2026

Key Moments from the 2026 NSTA Annual Meeting in the Mile High City

From federal policy updates and OEM presentations to speed networking and industry awards, see photos and highlights from the contractor association’s summer conference in Denver.

Read More →
A HopSkipDrive caregiver waits by an open car door in front of a house.
Managementby Elora HaynesJuly 27, 2026

HopSkipDrive Launches Spanish-Language App Update, Plans Additional Language Support

The update aims to improve communication with multilingual families by offering ride tracking, notifications, and support in Spanish, with more languages planned for the 2026-2027 school year.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A yellow school bus is parked outside a school beneath a large oak tree with blooming white blossoms, framed by white buildings and a bright blue spring sky.
Managementby Amanda HuggettJuly 27, 2026

Where the Yellow Bus Takes Us: School Bus Fleet's 2026 Photo of the Year Winners

See the winning photos from School Bus Fleet's 2026 Photo of the Year contest, featuring stunning school bus images from across the U.S., from scenic landscapes to everyday moments.

Read More →