Wanted: School Bus Drivers. No Diploma Needed?

Lafayette Parish schools may make it easier to become a substitute school bus driver.

The Advocate reports that Transportation Director Bill Samec has asked the parish school board to suspend its requirement that a driver have a high school diploma or equivalency diploma.

Samec says that when the district sought part-time drivers in March, it didn't find enough to meet its goal of 30 for the next school year.

Part-time, substitute drivers are often promoted to full-time drivers in Lafayette.

Linda Matthew, former president of the Louisiana School Bus Operators Association, says the problem is low pay. Substitute drivers make between $56 and $86 a day.

Matthew also says training on topics such as bullying prevention and ethics requires drivers to take time away from their second jobs.