Machias area (Portland: employment, transfer, school districts)

[cindyh]

Can someone please explain how the school bus system works in Maine? I currently drive a special education bus and I'm a county employee. Most of our school buses, tho, are handled by private contractors. I've been trying to check on employment in the Machias area, but most of the openings I can find online are in the Portland area. My children want to attend the UMM, so Portland is entirely too far south. If anyone can share info, or a link or two, I would really appreciate it. thank you.

[Acadianlion]

Try calling the Machias school department and ask them.

[DavidoftheNorth]

Here's a start: www.rmg.u102.k12.me.us/index.html

You should be able to get some help there. I'm not really sure, but I think the bus systems are managed locally, not by the state.

[cindyh]

Originally Posted by Acadianlion

Try calling the Machias school department and ask them.

Thanks. I guess I should have thought of that myself. lol Around here the Internet is very popular and most jobs are not only advertised online, but you can also apply for the position right there on the website.

[cindyh]

Originally Posted by DavidoftheNorth

Here's a start: www.rmg.u102.k12.me.us/index.html

You should be able to get some help there. I'm not really sure, but I think the bus systems are managed locally, not by the state.

I did find a few sites on the Links page. :0) Thank you very much! We're trying to get everything in order before we attempt to move. A major change like this is intimidating enough without worrying about finding work once we get there. I really appreciate the help.

[lowelltoco]

Cindy;

I'm also considering driving a school bus as my semi retirement job.
Here in Colorado the drivers are school department employees and get the same benefits as teachers. The health benefits are important because I will only be in my fifties and a long way from medicare.
Machias is on my top three list as places to retire. Still three years until my youngest is finished with HS.
Make sure you check the resident requirement for UMM, I think you have to be living there a year before you qualify.

Good Luck

[Coaster]

Best advice: Call and ask. Many Maine school districts manage their own bus fleets, but some have contracted the job to private companies such as First Student.

[cindyh]

Originally Posted by lowelltoco

Cindy;

I'm also considering driving a school bus as my semi retirement job.
Here in Colorado the drivers are school department employees and get the same benefits as teachers. The health benefits are important because I will only be in my fifties and a long way from medicare.
Machias is on my top three list as places to retire. Still three years until my youngest is finished with HS.

Yes, I'm a Board of Education county employee and my benefits are excellent! If what I read about the Maine health care system is correct, we should be okay. School bus drivers rarely, if ever, make over $70,000 a year.

Make sure you check the resident requirement for UMM, I think you have to be living there a year before you qualify.

Good Luck

Thanks for the heads up! I'll have to check into that. I signed my daughter up on the UMM website to receive info, and the first two packets showed up today. When you say qualify, do you mean for resident tuition or to be admitted in general? Maybe a community college there would be more lenient. Both of my children could go there for a year and take courses that are transferable. This is why I'm starting early on this - I don't want any surprises that could ruin this. I've never lived outside of Maryland, so I'm not practiced at long distance moving.

[cindyh]

Originally Posted by Coaster

Best advice: Call and ask. Many Maine school districts manage their own bus fleets, but some have contracted the job to private companies such as First Student.

Thank you. I had no idea that First Student was such a large company. We have it here as well.

[roadrat]

[quote=cindyh;742937] School bus drivers rarely, if ever, make over $70,000 a year.

I think you will find that schoolbus drivers in Maine rarely make over $7,000 a year.

bill