BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Brevard County Public Schools is facing a bus driver shortage and hoping to fill the gaps to get kids to class on time.

"It's a lot of fun, I love the hours, I love all the kids," said Missy Knight, who has driven Brevard children to school for three years.

She loves her new job, after working in an office for more than 30 years.

"We're the first person they see in the morning, they wouldn't get to school without us," Knight said.

But this year, the school district is facing a driver shortage after many retired or chose not to return over pandemic concerns. Right now, the school district needs 66 drivers and five mechanics before classes begin.

"We've lost a few technicians, we've lost a bunch of drivers," Brevard Public Schools fleet supervisor Jefferson Smith said. "We need to keep the buses up and going."

More than 27,000 students rely on the bus to get them to school, and without enough drivers, students could be picked up late, making them late for class.

The domino effect forces drivers to double back to pick up more kids.

"Keeping them on the road, and keeping drivers in the seats," Smith said.

Knight hopes the community will answer the call and get behind the wheel like her.

"If I can do it, anybody can do it," she said.

The school bus driver career fair runs from 8 a.m. until noon Wednesday.