By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – State Rep. Dan Brady says he has met with Unit 5 Superintendent Mark Daniel as the district tries to solve its busing problems.

Brady tells WJBC’s Scott Laughlin the district’s busing contractor First Student has seen an increases in drivers, which helps, but he said that’s not enough especially given the weeks of required training.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott’s interview with Brady on WJBC.

“Just saying ‘We hope there may be more applicants and here’s what you gotta do,’ that’s not going to cut it,’ Brady said. “You’re going to have to think outside the box and come up with something.”

Last week, Daniel had suggested asking for state resources – including possibly the National Guard – to assist in getting students to and from school.

Brady said the state could consider waiving some requirements for background checks and extensive training for people from certain work classifications because he says the district needs more drivers immediately.

“Why not look at a pool of individuals that have as stellar a record as one can have in law enforcement, EMS, background checks, knows our city streets, things that are something that others will not possess, even with six to eight weeks of training,” Brady said. “What they need more than right now, my understanding, is bus drivers who know what they are doing.”

Brady said that would likely require an executive order from the governor.

The Unit 5 school board meets at 7 p.m. That meeting, like the last two, will be held at Normal West High School to accommodate a large crowd.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].