Some Augusta students aren't getting to school on time because of late busses. Officials with Richmond County Schools blame the problem on a lack of qualified bus drivers. (Photo courtesy SweeTee10_56 via Flickr)
About 22,000 Richmond County students take the bus to school each day.
Educators from across the the system say too many bus-riders are routinely dropped off late in the mornings and kept waiting in the afternoons.
Tutt Middle School principle Nathan Benedict says nearly every week tardy buses force his teachers to play catch-up with students.
"Any time you have students coming in late for what ever reason...it might be a doctor's appointment, dentist appointment or something like that...teachers will have to adjust instruction for what they've missed," Benedict says.
The district has 157 drivers but officials say that's not enough to cut down on the tardy buses.
Spokesman Louis Svehla says Richmond County has been trying to recruit new drivers but most of the applicants aren't qualified.
"If you've had DUIs on your record or a certain number of speeding tickets within a certain amount of time then that's going to not qualify you to be a driver to transport students to and from school," says Svehla.
Recently the school system asked employees, ranging from custodians to coaches, to help fill in for drivers who call in sick.
So far 7 have volunteered. The system is paying for their training.
