SAN ANGELO, Texas —
Students have many ways to get to school, but one of the oldest forms of transportation is the school bus.
San Angelo Independent School District is looking for bus drivers to help fill any voids left by former bus drivers.
SAISD Assistant Superintendent Farrah Gomez said the reason the spots opened up is because it is part of the school cycle.
"We fully acknowledge that drivers can go out and work in oilfields or in other industries and make a higher hourly rate," Gomez said.
The requirements they are looking for in bus drivers - they must have a criminal background check by fingerprint, an acceptable driving record and be able pass a drug test.
The district is also looking for drivers to help with transportation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gomez, along with SAISD Transportation Operations Manager Eric Rivas, has been working on plan to make transportation easier for students.
"The guidelines that we've been given is we are going to be able to transport 12 students at a time," Rivas said. "We will be using regular-sized school bus to accommodate the social distancing guidelines."
Rivas said drivers will also be transporting approximately eight students with special needs on special needs buses. Rivas said the district is still working on a plan before the school year starts.
"So, now we're in the works of working it out, getting all the numbers and finding out exactly how many routes we're going to have to run and to accommodate to get all the kids to school once it starts," Rivas said.
Rivas and Gomez are still working with the community to have a set plan moving forward. As for now, those are the first steps they have laid down.
Gomez said the district is not just looking for any bus drivers, but bus drivers who can be an impact to the community.
"So we're looking for prospective employees who really want to make a difference in the community," Gomez said.
If anyone is interested, they can contact SAISD for more information.