During a recent government meeting, discussions centered on the challenges and strategies surrounding bus driver recruitment and retention within Durham Public Schools. The district is one of only a few in the state capable of training its own bus drivers, which has allowed them to reduce the training period from six months to three. Currently, there are approximately 37 bus drivers in training, but the district continues to face vacancies exacerbated by medical leaves and attendance issues.

Officials emphasized the need to foster a supportive culture within the transportation department to ensure that bus drivers and monitors feel valued. Community engagement is also seen as crucial, with calls for local residents, particularly those with Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs), to consider joining the ranks of bus drivers.

Salary competitiveness emerged as a significant concern. While the starting pay for bus drivers is around $19.43 per hour, which is competitive with neighboring areas, it still falls short compared to other job opportunities in the region, such as those offered by DoorDash and Amazon. The pay scale caps at approximately $28 per hour after 30 years, which contrasts sharply with the potential earnings in other sectors.

The meeting also touched on the structure of bus driver employment, confirming that drivers work guaranteed hours in the morning and afternoon, qualifying them for benefits. However, the flexibility offered by alternative employment options remains a challenge for recruitment efforts.

In closing, the meeting acknowledged the need for further discussions on a pre-K request, with plans to prepare a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for future consideration. The session concluded without public comments, as the county commissioners were set to lose quorum.