LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — The transportation director for Lafayette Parish schools wants the school board to loosen up on its requirement that bus drivers have high-school or GED diplomas.

The Advertiser reports that the board voted 5-4 last week against doing so.

Transportation Director Damon Evans had asked the board to waive the rule for substitute drivers.

He says he needs more drivers but cannot hire them. He says he knows of 10 people who have the required commercial driver's license and want to work as substitutes, but don't have a diploma.

Evans says 32 full-time drivers — about one-tenth of the total — retired or resigned this past year. He says he hired every substitute as a full-time driver and now four office staffers are driving buses every day.

More From News Talk 96.5 KPEL