(WEST PALM BEACH, FL)- The 2022-23 school year officially begins for Palm Beach County students and teachers this Wednesday, August 10th.

Concerns over teacher and school bus driver shortages loom, however district officials say all bus routes will be covered by the start of the school year.

Palm Beach school officials have also been working all summer to attempt to fill some 400 open teacher positions and will continue to recruit and hire educators even after the school year begins.

For the third year, students and staff are faced with the continuing COVID-19 concern, however masks will be optional and parents will no longer be required to report positive cases to their child’s school.

Those who do report a positive COVID case, however, are still required to keep their child at home for 5 days, per state health department guidelines.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office will be out in force on August 10th and are asking drivers to be mindful of school zones and to give themselves extra time to get to work.

Drivers caught going over the speed limit in a school zone can face fines in excess of $600.

With school buses back on the road, remember you must stop for a bus displaying red lights and stop signals or face a fine of $271 plus four points on your license.

The state sales tax holiday on school supplies runs through Sunday, Aug. 7.

Treasure Coast schools including Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties also let back in on August 10th,