GREEN BAY (NBC 26) — Monday was a day of “firsts” in Green Bay, in several respects.
One first is that Green Bay Area Public School students were back for in-person class for the first time since last March. Another first on Monday is that school staff and other essential workers who interact with students are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine based on their job.
Paul Mennen, regional manager at Lamers Bus Lines, said the company is looking for more school bus drivers for the company’s Green Bay routes, and he would welcome any increase in applications that is based on the drivers now being vaccine-eligible. Lamers is one of the school bus operators for Green Bay Area Public Schools.
Mennen said during a Monday phone interview that he had not seen any such uptick in applications. The position pays a minimum of $17 per hour.
Another job now eligible for the vaccine is crossing guards who help students.
“We are in dire need of more crossing guards,” said Steven Sannes, who worked as a crossing guard Monday afternoon outside Green Bay’s Elmore Elementary School.
Sannes already qualified for the vaccine based on his age.
A reporter asked whether vaccine eligibility could lead to new applications for the job.
“It might be an incentive for some people that would have to wait longer, because of their age groups,” Sannes said. “Just helping the kids should be the better incentive.”
Sannes said the company he works for needs at least 15 more crossing guards, and the pay starts at $15 per hour.
Learn more about Lamers Bus Lines by clicking here. Learn more about becoming a crossing guard by clicking here.
