As the Liberty County School System tries to address its bus driver shortage, more drivers out than usual at the beginning of the week led to complaints.

The system was short nine drivers Tuesday and had 11 out on Monday, resulting in some students getting to school late and also getting home later than expected.

“When we have nine or 10 drivers out, we have to do double routes,” chief operations officer Arnold Jackson told board members at their meeting Tuesday morning. “We had to do triple routes.” Jackson said when there are fewer than five drivers out, the transportation office can cover that shortfall with staff and mechanics.

“The first couple of weeks, we’ve been pretty good,” he said.

Board members said they got calls from parents wondering why their children were late getting home and were late getting to school at the beginning of the week.

“A lot of students missed the whole first period,” board member Marcus Scott said.

The school system adopted a staggered arrival time for its elementary, middle and high schools in an attempt to alleviate its driver shortage. The school system also is recruiting drivers, offering to pay for CDL preparation.

There were 73 drivers on hand at the start of school and Jackson said there are six more in training.

“Our goal is to get more drivers,” he said. “Drivers are going to solve the problem. Right now, we don’t have enough drivers.”

“We are recruiting,” added Superintendent Dr. Franklin Perry. “Our students are getting to school on time much better. When we have the callouts is when we have the problem.”

The school system, Dr. Perry pointed out, is transporting more than 7,500 of the 10,500 students enrolled in Liberty County’s schools.

Board member Donita Strickland said it was “unbelievable” 11 drivers could be out. Jackson said two drivers are hospitalized and some have child care issues. Others, he said, have contracted COVID-19.

“We are experiencing a surge in certain illnesses,” added board member Dr. Chante Baker Martin. “It’s coming back with a vengeance. All of our staff could be affected at some point. I want to commend those who do show up and do the double routes and triple routes. I hear the concerns and complaints. We want to make sure we are commending those who show up every day.”

Board members also related concerns from parents on a lack of answers or notification. Board members said parents told them they have not been able to get through on the phone or have left voicemails that have not been returned.

“Parents have to know where their children are,” said chair Verdell Jones. “What should they do?”

Dr. Perry said he is in office every day until he gets an “all clear” message, meaning all students have been taken home for the day. Parents with questions or concerns can call the school system’s customer service line at (912) 318-9048.

“We have a customer service line that is answered,” he said. “We will make sure in case something has fallen through the cracks, that someone will get back to that person. We realize sometime people may fall through the cracks.”

Dr. Perry added his direct line is on the website and he is available by phone too. Jackson said parents can call the transportation department if a bus is late.

System officials and board members said there are ways for parents to get updated on late buses, but parents have to register for those updates via phone, which come through as calls and text messages.

Jones said board members and staff should ask parents to make sure their information is up-to-date in order to get those alerts.

“We all have to play our part to make sure our students are safe,” she said.