KILLEEN, TX — Over 260 buses hit the streets every morning to take Killeen ISD students to school, but Special Operations Manager Deejay Jennings says it still isn't enough.
"You have to look at having extra drivers in the event someone calls in ill," Jennings said.
Some days bus drivers are having to take double routes just to make sure all students can get a ride.
"You have to make sure all the children get picked up so any assigned route driver will be able to pick up his or her assigned stops and they will also be contacted by dispatch to pick up kids in the same area where there is currently not a driver assigned for it," Jennings said.
In total, district officials said they have about 48 full time bus drivers - short of being able to adequately serve it's nearly 45,000 students.
That's why they said that they are hoping paying higher wages will attract more qualified drivers.
This year each driver received a $1.50 raise, moving their hourly rate from around $13 an hour to $14.50.
Something bus driver Ken McCoy said is icing on the cake when it comes to doing a job he loves.
"I enjoy it, ya know. The kids. Transporting children. It's very interesting," McCoy said.
If you'd like to apply for a bus driver position, you can access the Killeen ISD auxiliary job website at https://www.killeenisd.org/auxiliary_human_resources
