Schools throughout the Valley are getting creative in their efforts to attract and keep bus drivers. 

The Austintown Local School District most recently decided to reward drivers in the district for safe driving.

In September, the district announced a "severe" shortage of drivers, asking parents of students to be patient as it could create inconveniences in terms of bus routes. 

Three months later, the board approved The Safety Bonus Plan on Dec.14 in hopes of retaining current bus drivers while attracting new ones by awarding drivers up to $2,400 per year, so long as they are safe on the roads.

"We felt this was this was a win, win situation for our drivers," says Transportation Director, John Lenkey, "The safety of our students is always our number one priority, and this bonus plan will continue to reinforce what we already practice while giving our staff the chance to earn some extra money."

In order to receive a bonus, drivers must meet certain criteria decided by the district. Those requirements include having clean driving records, causing minimal wear and tear to school buses, complying to bus rules and regulations, and adhering to attendance policies. 

If all requirements are met, drivers can receive bonuses in the amount of $800 every three months in a nine month period. 

According to the district, a driver who receives all three bonuses would increase their contracted wage by $3.85 per hour. 

Austintown is not alone in the shortage of drivers.

The Mahoning County Educational Service Center began offering free commercial driver's license training to help draw more drivers to districts in Mahoning County in October, 2015. 

“In Struthers, the situation is so desperate that if we lost a few drivers to the flu, our routes would run an hour late and we could have to consider using a calamity day,” said Struthers Superintendent Joe Nohra in October 2015.

In November of this year, the Youngstown City School District held open interviews for bus drivers and drivers aides.