Richmond school bus drivers demand minimum pay amid funding concerns

Concerns over budget transparency and the impact on school operations dominated the Richmond Public Schools (RPS) Board Meeting on April 8, 2025. Teachers and staff voiced their frustrations regarding the city's proposed budget, which they argue falls short of meeting the district's financial needs.

An English teacher, speaking on behalf of her colleagues, highlighted discrepancies between the funding requested by the school board and what the city council has proposed. "It just simply doesn't make sense," she stated, urging the RPS administration to clarify the funding needs and address the confusion surrounding budget allocations. She expressed concern that the narrative surrounding the budget could unfairly label collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) as unaffordable, potentially leading to unpopular cuts that would harm the educational environment.

The meeting also featured passionate testimonies from bus drivers and monitors, who emphasized their critical role in the school system. One driver, who has been with RPS since 1999, passionately argued for maintaining a minimum of two hours of pay for extracurricular activities, stating that many drivers rely on this income to support their families. "Taking away the past practice pay will cause tremendous ripple effects on the students and parents," he warned, underscoring the importance of their work in providing safe transportation and mentorship for students.

Another driver echoed these sentiments, sharing her personal struggles to make ends meet on a limited salary. "If I was to lose any hours, how would I explain that to my landlord?" she asked, highlighting the financial pressures faced by many staff members.

The meeting concluded with a call for the school board to take these concerns seriously and ensure that the voices of teachers and support staff are heard in the ongoing budget discussions. As the community awaits further clarity on funding, the implications of these discussions could significantly impact the future of Richmond Public Schools and its ability to serve its students effectively.