One small town superintendent is getting behind the wheel of a school bus to help with the driver shortage in his district. It's a problem that's plaguing districts across the country.
Going beyond what is expected of a superintendent, Lane Tompkins with the McKenzie School District took it upon himself to become a certified bus driver to help his district -- much to the students’ surprise.
"I've gotten some like, 'are you crazy,' and I’m like yeah, but it's been a fun challenge,” Tompkins said. “It's been pretty funny, there's a lot of surprise the first couple times that I drove, and they've been great, they've been pretty supportive, and it's been fun."
Like most districts across the country, it's hard to find certified bus drivers willing to pick up and drop off students.
“Its tough getting, especially with the job market the way it is, trying to get folks to want to take on that part-time split shift work is kind of a challenge,” Tompkins said.
Tompkins had already started making drop offs and pick-ups in October. He said driving helps him to be a better head administrator to his faculty.
“It makes me better informed as a leader to understand that department a little more in those jobs, so it's been personally gratifying to be able to go, 'oh that's why we do things we do,'” Tompkins said.
Tompkins said his intention was not to compete with others looking for a job, and is hoping to inspire others to apply to work in the community he loves.
"Hopefully they see, 'well if he can do it I can do it too,'” Tompkin said. “Everybody can play a part if someone wants to consider driving a bus and driving transportation… if I can learn how to do this anybody can."
With Tompkins is ready to go the distance working for his transportation department, he knows the community of Blue River is behind him for every mile.
“They appreciate it even if they're not saying they appreciate it,” Tompkins said.