Forest Hills families who depend on school bus service have less than a month before classes resume, and the district is still looking for drivers.

Forest Hills School District will host a Drive-a-Bus Day on Saturday, July 25, from 9 a.m. to noon in the parking lot of Nagel Middle School, 1500 Nagel Road. Anyone with a valid driver's license can show up, register on-site and take a school bus on a supervised test drive. No commercial driver's license is required.

"This event is ideal for anyone who has considered a fulfilling career as a bus driver, but might be a little nervous about driving a school bus," John Eckert, FHSD director of business operations, said in the district's July 15 announcement. "Our licensed drivers will be on hand to explain what a day on the job is like."

The district said it offers paid CDL training for accepted applicants, along with competitive wages and benefits. Richard Porter, FHSD transportation supervisor, said drivers work in a supportive team environment and can build relationships with students on their routes.

First day of school is Aug. 18

The recruiting push comes with the 2026-27 school year approaching fast. The first day of school for seventh graders, ninth graders and students in kindergarten through sixth grade is Monday, August 18. All other middle and high school students begin Tuesday, August 19. Families will receive bus route information by email in August, the district said.

A shortage years in the making

The district's announcement states it has been dealing with a bus driver shortage for several years, a problem shared by districts statewide. As of last October, Ohio had lost nearly 7,000 school bus drivers since the pandemic, dropping from 25,706 to 18,817, according to WYSO and the Statehouse News Bureau.

Forest Hills has invested in its fleet alongside its staffing efforts. The FHSD board authorized the purchase of four new school buses at an estimated cost of $509,072 in September 2025. The district's current drivers competed in the regional School Bus Driver Safety Road-e-o last fall and won the Spirit Award, according to the district's year-in-review.

Residents interested in applying can visit foresthills.edu/employment or call the Business Operations Department at (513) 231-3600.