BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Like school districts across the state, Brevard Public Schools is tackling a transportation crisis.

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As of Monday, the district has 94 bus driver vacancies, and needs more than a dozen mechanics.

Now, the board is asking for solutions to get, and keep, those positions filled. But board members will have to compete harder for drivers.

One of the biggest issues is that drivers can make more money driving elsewhere. The board is discussing ways the district might increase both pay and job satisfaction.

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Nobody else in the state of Florida has to compete like we do for jobs, because we have the Space Center, and we have a lot of federal funding,” school board chairman Matt Susin said. “A lot of the jobs are higher-costing, so we’re in a pinch here.”

Interim Superintendent Dr. Robert Schiller said outsourcing may not be the best option.

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“We have looked at outsourcing oftentimes in the area of field trips, athletic runs, and we have found that the costs of the outsourcing to private companies who provide a very good service is just far too expensive than if we do it in house,” he said.

The school board is looking for some concrete proposals before its next workshop at the end of this month.

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