New contract aims to reduce Wake schools driver's education backlog

The Wake County Public School System will enter into a new contract for driver’s education that’s intended to help reduce the backlog of students waiting for it.

The current backlog, related to the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting driver’s education offerings, is “months,” district spokesman Tim Simmons said.

The school district is trying to reduce the backlog to the six to eight weeks waiting period that existed prior to the pandemic. It’s the first attempt the do so, as the school system plans to pursue more contracts with other vendors, as well.

The contract, which the school board approved without opposition Tuesday night, will expand the number of students who can use school-provided driver’s education.

That will keep families from resorting to spending several hundred dollars on a private driving school, Board Member Karen Carter said.

“Trying to get into driver’s ed right now is like trying to winner a radio call-in contest,” Board Member Chris Heagarty said, prior to voting to approve the contract.

The contract with Jordan Driving School will pay $400 for every student the company serves in “behind-the-wheel training” beyond what the company normally serves. The contract maxes out at $240,000, indicating potentially 600 more students could be served.

The company currently serves about 455 students per month.

The company would hire more trainers, and the contract would also cover higher expenses this spring and summer, such as higher gas prices.

Jordan Driving School did not spend $500,000 of the contract authorized by the school board in 2019 because the pandemic. Part of that will fund the new contract approved Tuesday.

The school board also amended the contract signed in 2019 to reflect the lower expense during the pandemic and allow the district to use the funds on other projects.