COEUR d'ALENE - After a year of uncertainty for the Coeur d'Alene School District's bus drivers, several have decided they won't be climbing behind the steering wheels of the big yellow buses again when school starts in September.

At this point, four drivers have officially resigned, and the district is seeking new employees to replace them.

"It is a slightly higher number than we've seen in years past," said school district spokeswoman Laura Rumpler.

The turnover follows months spent by the board and district administration considering whether to privatize the district's transportation department. It was believed the move could have potentially saved the district about $1 million.

The district's staff of about 61 drivers and assistants would no longer be district employees, and the district would give up ownership of its bus fleet.

The idea caused angst among many community members and the bus drivers, many of whom are longtime employees of the district.

In June, prior to adopting the budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year, the board decided to step away from privatizing the busing system and find other ways to deal with a budget shortfall for the next school year.

"That brought a sense of stability back to the (transportation) department," Rumpler said.

But, not enough for at least two of the bus drivers who decided against returning to drive for the district for another school year.

"Two of the four shared that they had concerns about the future of benefits in the district, that they were looking for more stable hours and benefits," Rumpler said.

The district is looking for new drivers to hire.

Rumpler said that because the training is extensive, the district's transportation director, Jill Hill, likes to sit down and talk to potential hires at the start of the application process, which is also extensive.

New drivers must pass a D.O.T. physical and are required to have an Idaho Commercial Driver's License with a Passenger Endorsement and a School Bus Endorsement.

There are drug and alcohol tests, and background checks that candidates must pass.

"Most of the drivers we've found in the past have come on through word of mouth," Rumpler said.

The position is ideal for a semi-retired or young retired person looking to remain active and working in the community, she said.

"Our drivers find joy in being connected with the students," she said. "They really are the district's front line in that connection."

Salary is approximately $11.49 per hour to start.

Application instructions and forms can be found on the district's website, www.cdaschools.org/transportation.