Bus drivers have a uniform problem

Friday, Sept. 27, 2002 | 9:27 a.m.

Belinda Yealy knows that her size 30 trousers and size 19 shirt don't exactly make her an average woman -- that is, unless she's shopping for her uniform as a Clark County School District bus driver.

Yealy, who has been driving buses for more than 20 years, told the Clark County School Board Thursday that the the district's uniform supplier has been unable to fill orders on larger sizes because the items have been discontinued by the manufacturer. Many drivers wear sizes 44 and up, Yealy said.

That means instead of simply handing in chits for clothing with the contracted supplier, Yealy and many other drivers have been forced to shop elsewhere, paying out of pocket.

"It's not fair for drivers to suffer because they need special-order sizes," said Cynthia Knew, a Clark County school bus driver for 23 years. "A few of us are very petite, and a lot of us are large. That's just the facts."

Walt Rulffes, deputy superintendent of finance for the district, apologized to the women for the aggravation incurred and said he would look into reimbursing bus drivers for their uniform expenses.

This is only the third year that bus drivers have been required to wear uniforms. The change was made to increase on-the-job professionalism and make it easier for bus drivers to be recognized in emergency situations, district officials said.

According to the terms of the contract awarded to Skagg's of Las Vegas by the School Board in July, uniforms in regular sizes were to be available within 15 days and special-order sizes within 30 days. But Knew said it's been three months and no orders have been filled.

A representative for Skagg's could not be reached for comment.

Knew and Yealy said they have both been shopping at the American Shooters Club, a gun and uniform supply store that had the district contract for two years before losing it to Skagg's this summer.

Ron Montoya, owner of American Shooters, said he had to raise his bid for the contract because he knew the supplier was discontinuing the line of previously used uniforms. That meant switching to a different style at an increase of about 50 cents per shirt and $1 per pair of pants, Montoya said.

"Fortunately, we have the inventory and the necessary sizes," Montoya said.