Olentangy Local School District needs about 35 bus drivers, and families are already feeling the gap.

Transportation Director Todd Silverthorn told Fox 28 Columbus that roughly 20 routes go uncovered each day. That is nearly 10% of the district's total routes across a system serving more than 24,500 students, according to district figures.

Silverthorn called the situation "a challenge every single day." Office staff and every employee who holds a commercial driver's license (CDL) are filling in behind the wheel, but he said parents should still expect pickup and drop-off delays.

One of those fill-ins is Marsha Seymour, an administrative secretary who spent 20 of her 30 years with the district driving a bus full-time. She is back on a route to help cover the shortage.

Seymour told Fox 28 the current deficit is probably the worst she has witnessed in three decades.

"We don't want to just put someone in a seat just to fill a seat," Seymour said. "We want really good, qualified people."

The fix will take time. District leaders said training, licensing and background checks for a new driver require two to three months.

Oct. 24 recruitment event

Olentangy will host a "try-it-out" event Saturday, Oct. 24, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the West Transportation Center, 6876 Sawmill Parkway in Powell. Prospective applicants can climb aboard a bus and learn about the job. Amy Morgan, the West Transportation Center supervisor, oversees the facility. The transportation department can be reached at (740) 657-4080.

Regional picture

The driver shortage stretches across central Ohio. Columbus City Schools reported needing 500 active drivers but having only 379 on staff. That district has hired 17 new drivers since July and has 33 trainees in its pipeline, with a goal of placing at least eight drivers on the road each month through December.

Dublin City Schools listed about 12 open transportation positions. South-Western City Schools said it has 15 total openings and will hold a hiring event Oct. 16 from noon to 3 p.m. at 3805 Marlane Drive in Grove City. Hilliard City Schools said it has one open route and is looking to fill 10 route specialist positions, which are contracted substitute roles.

Families with questions about Olentangy bus schedules or delays can contact the district's transportation office.