Karla Heckathorn has been chosen as new transportation director for Wayland Union Schools.

She officially joined the administrative team Wednesday, Feb. 14.

Heckathorn, who succeeds Jeff Parks in that position, comes to Wayland from the Plainwell school district, where she was an administrative assistant. She worked at the Maple Valley schhol district before that.

She was introduced to the Board of Education Monday night by Supt. Tim Reeves.

Wayland, like all other districts, has been struggling to find bus drivers, sometimes resulting in transportation not available for sporting events. The bus driver shortage has been evident since just before the Covid pandemic.