Yesterday, Bea spoke at a tree dedication ceremony for Mr. Ronnie Gilmore, who retired from her school after 22 years of service. He was both a bus driver and a custodian, and a huge part of the school community—whether you rode his bus or not, he knew your name, and always had a kind or uplifting word, or even a hug. I was truly grateful to know that he was in her life, encouraging and looking out for her.
Here is what Bea said:
Mr. Ronnie is one of the greatest bus drivers of all time. I rode his bus in kindergarten and first grade, before the pandemic and during the pandemic. He was always really nice to everyone, he always put safety first, and he was always smiling. He was really patient and knew all of our names.
I’m glad he can get a break now, but I’m sad that he has to leave our school. I’m lucky to have had him as my bus driver. It seems really nice to plant a tree in his honor, because a tree is beautiful and strong and lives a long time, and it’s not a banner or something that can be taken down. Also, trees take care of us, just like Mr. Ronnie.
There’s a well-documented bus driver shortage right now, as well as cafeteria worker shortage, a teacher shortage, a school nurse shortage, and a day care and elder care shortage… just to start! At Bea’s school at least one bus driver has had to drive double routes to get kids to school, and kids without the ability to be dropped off (an energy-wasting luxury, as I’ve written before) have to get on the bus really, really early. This work is often done by people who do other things inside the school, like Bea’s assistant teacher for two years, Ms. Peele (Bea didn’t ride her bus but I’m sure those kids feel just as lucky). These essential jobs do not pay nearly as well as they should.
I get that “infrastructure” refers to the physical things—roads, bridges, sewer systems, broadband networks—that keep our country running. And I know that passing the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill was a big deal, and an accomplishment for Joe Biden, a president I admire so much more than I expected (I was and am a Warren fan, but I can’t imagine what kind of insanity the Republicans would have kicked up if she’d been elected). We need better roads and bridges, we need climate change mitigation, and people like my parents, who have to use a hot spot or roaming to get wifi, truly need internet access.
I realize, too, that the president is dealing with some truly rotten Democrats in Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema. But after Tuesday’s election losses, seeing just one part of the spending plan voted on was a letdown. We need childcare and healthcare too, and financial support for families, and bigger action on fighting—not just mitigating—the climate crisis. I’ve read a number of op-eds chiding people for trying to lump these things into infrastructure with the phrase “infrastucture of care.”
Which all sound to me like the chiding of people who have never panicked over who will watch their kids, or what kind of world their kids will live in when they grow up.
Of course, this kind of infrastructure is not all about what happens at the federal level—getting our bus driver and teacher and school support staff jobs filled is something our state leaders are supposed to be figuring out. In North Carolina, we’re still not close, apparently, to a budget deal (we been without a full budget, and most state workers have been without raises, for two years). Here’s what Republican Represenative Jason Saine, the House’s lead budget writer, told reporters:
“Part of the complex problem is that we've had so much money. It was federal [pandemic relief] money coming in, plus from our own success – not anticipating that we would do so well during COVID. We have a lot of money that the state has, and we want to be very thoughtful about how to spend it.”
Is your blood boiling yet? At the thoughtful deliberateness of these Republicans?
If not, just think about some sleepy little kid standing at the bus stop at the butt-crack of dawn, waiting on a school bus driver with a too-long route, who works two jobs to pay their ridiculously expensive health insurance.
All things the legislature could fix! Right now! With “so much money” that belongs, in fact, to the people!
Anyway, one thing that we can choose not to wait for is getting Bea’s Covid vaccine. We’re on our way in a little while to a Walgreens to get it done. Bea is excited, and will report on how it goes, on Tuesday.
What can't wait
Mamie shared a photo of Bea getting her vaccination today. I am so glad that you did not hesitate about protecting her, Harriet, and the rest of her community.
I have always believed that if consumers need or desire a service, the providers of that service should be paid a livable wage. People apply for jobs they can afford to take. If my pay doesn't cover expenses like childcare, shelter, food, clothing i.e. basic necessities) then I can't afford to take the job. Blaming the poor for the conditions under which they live is very convenient , and selfish. To sugarcoat one's lack of action to an excess of allocations is outrageous! Maybe our legislators just need to work a little harder, and stop making excuses for their callous indifference.
I'm a Warren girl too! This is such a great post and thank you Bea for the great speech about Mr. Ronnie! He will be missed!