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Selma City Schools is looking to hire at least four new bus drivers as it aims to begin offering school bus transportation to and from Selma High School, R.B. Hudson STEAM Academy and School of Discovery Genesis Center each day by March.

“Many of our scholars walk to and from school,” said Selma City Schools Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams. “We recognize that this is a strain and a safety concern for some of our families. We take safety and school attendance very seriously and we believe that expanding transportation will help improve both [of] these areas.”

Currently, transportation is only available to students with special needs or hardships and for field trips, dual enrollment students and athletic events.

While not every family has a need for additional school transportation options, Williams said the local school system is hoping to be “responsive and supportive” of those that do.

According to the job posting on the Selma City Schools website, applicants must be at least 21 years old and have a “good driving record.”

Additionally, applicants must possess a high school diploma or equivalent, as well as a commercial driver’s license (CDL), and pass a fingerprinting background check and random drug screenings.

Williams said that the school system is looking to hire up to four full-time or part-time drivers, which will do much more than simply transport students from one place to another.

“Bus drivers are an important part of our team, as they may be the first contact that our scholars have with us in the morning,” Williams said. “We are looking for committed people who value student safety and who want to be a part of Team Selma.”

According to Williams, Selma City Schools Operations Director Joe Peterson is already drafting bus routes and working out scheduling, staffing and other logistics.

Further, the school system is working to get the word out to families through its website and social media accounts and plans to host meetings on the topic in the future.

While Williams hopes to see the new bus routes running by March, possibly as early as next month, she doesn’t want to rush the process.

“I am more concerned with ensuring excellence than doing it quickly,” Williams said.

For more information on the job openings, or to fill out the school system’s transportation survey, visit www.selmacityschools.org.