What are school bus drivers paid in Calcasieu Parish?

Are there some bus drivers running more than one route, because buses are being seen picking up kids after 8 a.m.? 

The shortage of drivers — is this all of the sudden or has this been an ongoing problem?

Holly Holland, spokeswoman for the Calcasieu Parish school system, said the starting annual salary for a bus driver is $14,172.

Buses seen making pickups after 8 a.m. may be heading to alternative school sites, which run on an 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. schedule, Holland said.

And the bus driver shortage, she said, is a nationwide problem.

“This issue has been prevalent for the last couple of years across the country, and our area is not exempt,” she wrote in an email. “The increasing need for drivers locally is in part due to driving jobs being available elsewhere at a higher pay rate.”

For more info: www.cpsb.org.

 

Board has 5 regular, 3 alternate members

Who is on the Lake Charles zoning board? What are the requirements to get on the board, and how long do board members serve? 

According to the city’s website, members of the Lake Charles Planning and Zoning Commission are George Cestia, chairman; Alvin Joseph, vice chairman; David Berryhill; Matt Boullion; and Frank Pryce.

Alternate members are Vincent Lupo; Thomas Sanders Jr.; and James E. Sudduth III.

Commission members, appointed by the mayor and City Council, serve four-year terms and receive no compensation. They can’t serve in another public office during their terms, and they must be residents of the city. 

According to the city code, the board’s membership must “to the extent practicable … represent diverse economic, social, business and geographic backgrounds.”

The board meets at 5:30 p.m. on each month’s second Monday in the Council Chambers in City Hall, 326 Pujo St.

“Prior to voting on any matter, each member shall review the entire record of the proceeding and fully inform himself of the facts and issues of the matter under consideration,” reads the city code.

“If a member was absent during a public hearing conducted to consider a matter, he shall state on the record that he has complied with the provision prior to voting on the matter.”

Among the commission’s powers and duties, from Article IV of the code’s zoning appendix:

“To prepare and revise as appropriate the official zoning district map, and recommend its adoption, and from time to time to recommend its amendment.”

“To hear, review and make recommendations to the city council on proposed zoning district classifications for land subject to a petition for annexation.”

“To hear, review and approve, or disapprove applications for conditional use permits.”

“To review and report on any matter referred to it by the mayor or the city council.”

For more info: www.cityoflakecharles.com.

 

The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by Andrew Perzo, an American Press staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com.