The County School Board voted Thursday night to hire two contract school bus drivers, though they failed to disclose past convictions.
Karitsa Jones and Kathy Lennon abstained.
Officials said one conviction was 19 years ago and the other 29 years back.
Rhonda Thurman said some individuals honestly believe a conviction is off their record based on something they were told.
She said the system was badly in need of drivers, noting that Durham School Service supervisors are having to drive routes.
Ms. Thurman said one of the drivers was formerly with Durham and had an excellent record with them. She said he lost his Durham job when he had a wreck that was not his fault.
School officials said applicants are told plainly they should reveal any prior record, saying that will not necessarily disqualify them - but not telling and being found out might rule them out.