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Board approves $500 recruitment stipend and higher hourly rate for extra bus routes amid staffing concerns
Summary
The board approved a $500 referral stipend for employees who recruit new bus drivers and raised the hourly rate for extra routes from $13.29 to $18 to address recruitment and retention, while commenters and board members said pay remains low compared with local living costs.
The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board on Aug. 21 approved two measures aimed at recruiting and retaining school bus operators: a $500 referral stipend to employees who recruit new bus drivers, and an increase in the hourly rate for extra routes from $13.29 to $18.
The recruitment stipend proposal—$500 for any East Baton Rouge Parish School System employee who successfully recruits a new school bus operator—was presented and approved after online commenters and one in-person card urged greater compensation for relatively low-paid workers. Public commenters said the stipend was insufficient and called for higher wages and benefits.
On a related item, the board approved raising the hourly rate paid to current bus operators for extra routes to $18 per hour. Public commenters pointed out local living-wage estimates and urged the district to do more. Board members acknowledged the measures as incremental steps and noted the district provides benefits and paid time off that some private transportation vendors do not offer.
Formal action: Both items—(1) the $500 recruitment stipend and (2) the hourly-rate increase for extra routes—were moved and approved in separate votes during the meeting. The motion to approve the stipend carried; the motion to increase the extra-route hourly rate carried as well.
Why it matters: Bus drivers transport students to and from school, and driver shortages or high turnover can disrupt student attendance and school operations. Several board members emphasized the importance of compensation, job stability and benefits.
Ending: Board members asked staff to continue recruitment work and monitor retention, and public commenters urged additional wage upgrades and improved working conditions for bus operators.
