By Nance Beston, Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, Wash. The Tribune Content Agency

MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake School District announced a driver shortage Friday, which will impact morning and afternoon bus routes. The MLSD transportation department will notify parents by 5:30 a.m. each morning if the route is canceled for the day.

"Bus driver shortages are not unique to this school year or unique to Moses Lake," MLSD Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Claren McLaughlin said. "It is a nationwide issue."

McLaughlin said that if a morning route is canceled, the afternoon route is also canceled. The MLSD said in its statement that special education bus routes will not be impacted. The canceled routes will also be posted on the Moses Lake School District website.

The MLSD is hiring a school bus driver for routes 75, 21, 37 and 34, according to the website. Salaries for the positions are listed as $25.15 to $28.15 an hour. All four jobs are 20 hours per week, Monday through Friday. The district is looking for someone with a high school diploma or G.E.D., a commercial driver's license, a current Washington State Bus Driver's Authorization and a valid First Aid Card.

The district is also hiring a substitute bus driver, who is only allowed to work 600 hours per school year and has the same requirements as the daily drivers.

The final open position is a substitute bus driver assistant, which is also limited to 600 hours a school year. This position must have a First Aid Card and be able to provide supervision and assistance to students riding the bus. It is not listed how much this position pays.

For those interested in these roles contact Transportation Director Lorri Smith at 509-793-7203 or [email protected].