Novi Community Schools' 30 bus drivers practiced threat-response scenarios with Oakland County Sheriff's Office deputies on Thursday, Aug. 27, days before the new school year begins, WXYZ reported.

Transportation Supervisor Carey Russell said the session covered more than active threats. Drivers also trained on what to do when motorists blow past activated bus stop signals and how to navigate darkened traffic lights, according to the report.

"Our drivers are seeing a lot of construction in the Novi area. We've got it from 12 Mile all the way down to 8 Mile, so we're having to reroute them," Russell said.

Northbound Novi Road between 8 Mile and 9 Mile remained closed as of Aug. 21, with a detour routing traffic along 8 Mile to Beck Road to 10 Mile, according to The Oakland Press. A separate project on 12 Mile from Novi Road to Farmington Road has reduced that stretch to one lane in each direction through late fall. The city of Novi said in a July 28 update that the contractor hoped to reopen Novi Road before school starts.

Among the drivers preparing for the year is Christopher Corbett, a former business owner and Novi resident whose children attended the district. Corbett went from hire to behind the wheel in about six weeks, earning his commercial driver's license (CDL) along the way.

"It is a lot more than I thought it was," Corbett said of the training.

Tim Summers, now in his sixth year driving for the district, said the scenarios force drivers to think through situations they hope never to encounter.

The training comes as metro Detroit districts continue to struggle with bus driver shortages. WXYZ separately reported that Utica Community Schools was still trying to fill 25 to 30 open positions. Russell said Novi typically needs five to seven more drivers at this point in the year but has attracted strong candidates for the 6,770-student district.

Novi families can expect adjusted bus routes where construction narrows or closes roads between 8 Mile and 12 Mile through at least September.