GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Less than a week before the new school year begins, Gwinnett County school officials say they could use a few more school bus drivers.
Gwinnett currently has 64 bus driver openings, district officials said. The district has nearly 1,600 bus drivers.
School district spokesman Bernard Watson stressed that Gwinnett has enough bus drivers to cover its 7,900 bus routes when classes start on Aug. 10. However, Watson said, the district wants to have more drivers in case of staffing emergencies.
Gwinnett County school officials have used various methods, including putting large signs atop its school buses, to publicize their search for additional bus drivers.
“You always want some extras to cover the routes in case someone gets sick,” Watson said.
Watson said Gwinnett is constantly looking for drivers. He said it’s been tougher to hire and retain drivers since the end of the recession.
“As the economy has gotten better, it’s harder to hire folks,” he said.
WSBTV
