Superintendent fills in as bus driver to cover for sick staff

Kindred, ND (WDAY TV) - The flu season is already ramping up. Just this week we told you about the first school district in the state closing because of the flu. Fort Yates had hundreds of students out sick and it's not only students who are suffering. Many rural districts are being forced to get creative to get subs for sick staff and it's given Kindred's Superintendent a unique job.

With budget demands plaguing many districts, some are already short staffed. Add in the flu and other illnesses, resources are becoming limited in rural communities, not just for students.

Students in the Kindred School District are seeing an unusual sight, their Superintendent driving bus. Steve Hall doesn't seem to mind his new daily duties. It's not like this is the first time he's had to multi-task.

“It's always a challenge to get bus drivers and have bus drivers so we have many staff that help fill in and do that.”

Two out of the eight drivers are out sick. So the district is once again being forced to call in back up for the morning and afternoon routes. That means Superintendent Hall is out of the office.

“It really tightens our schedules down. We just all have to chip in and help out.”

Illnesses like the swine flu are hitting sooner than expected. Rural schools are now feeling the added pressure.

“In smaller districts they don't have three deep for every position and so they need to move their people around like we saw in kindred.”

That lack of resources in already strapped districts is leading some to plan ahead for the worst case scenario.

“It’s important that they do look at their systems. How are they going to be able to continue to provide education? Including bussing, coaching, and all of those other services, with sick staff.

With sickness expected to get even worse, there's no end in sight to finding fill-ins, but for Superintendent Hall, he's making the best out of a bad situation.

“It's kind of different, gets you out away from behind the desk.”

Two weeks ago, about 80 Kindred students were out sick. That number is now down to about 20. The district is taking all the necessary precautions to stay safe. It says it will only close if absolutely necessary.