school bus driver

As school districts in the area work to fill bus driver vacancies, some are experiencing a greater shortage than usual. Manatee County needs to fill about 20% of its bus driving staff. Like surrounding districts, Manatee officials hope a wage increase will attract more employees.

The bills passed by the House and moving through the Senate would require middle schools to start no earlier than 8 a.m. and high schools no earlier than 8:30 a.m. by 2026. Lawmakers say pushing back start times will allow students to get more sleep leading to better academic performance.

The possible pay raises for school bus drivers was discussed the same day the Florida House approved slashing funding for Hillsborough County and 11 other school districts.

The proposal would stagger arrivals to four time slots instead of three — and change dismissal times.