Manatee school board budgets transportation funds

Manatee County School Board officials are taking steps to improve the safety of students being transported by district buses with the approval of more than $200,000 in spending for immediate transportation needs.

Board members Monday night approved, with amendments, a request by the district's transportation department, to hire a full-time transportation director and 11 full-time bus drivers, among other provisions.

District personnel said the bus crash on State Road 64 near the Super Walmart last month brought to light concern with staffing levels within the transportation department.

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