LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - It’s a new school year, but the Calcasieu Parish School Board is still dealing with the same bus driver shortage issues.

Though things have slightly improved in the last couple of years, there’s still about a 40-person gap CPSB needs to fill.

The shortage was first noticed after the 2006-2007 school year, after Hurricane Rita. Since then, school districts in Southwest Louisiana have had to make some adjustments to meet their transportation quotas.

“There’s not a district in the state, I think, that is at full manpower. Right now, we utilize staff within our campuses and some of our departmental offices to fill in,” Aaron McDonald, CPSB Director of Transportation, said.

Starting Monday, Sept. 15, CPSB will host the first round of pre-service and behind-the-whe

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