By Eric Stock
NORMAL – Many parents in Unit 5 have had to scramble to get their children to school as a driver shortage has prompted some buses to by up to two hours late.
Unit 5 spokeswoman Dayna Brown issued a statement that First Student had notified the district that 14 drivers called in sick Thursday morning.
The parent of a Normal West student said they were given a voicemail message from the school notifying them of the delay. After taking their child to school, the parent reported ‘chaos’ at the school as many parents tried to get their children there on time.
The driver shortage is the latest in a series of problems involving the district’s buses. Many buses were late and overcrowded in the first few weeks of school. Unit 5 Superintendent Mark Daniel said on WJBC he expected the issues to be resolved by the end of this week.
Daniel is scheduled to join WJBC’s Terry James at 12:10 p.m.
WJBC is also seeking comment First Student.
WJBC will update this story.
Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.
