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Bus driver says WFISD drivers feel ignored; calls for board engagement
Summary
A Wichita Falls ISD school bus driver who also spoke for several dozen transportation employees told the board they feel neglected and said colleagues stayed home from the meeting fearing retribution; the board heard the public comment but did not take immediate action.
Robert Richards, a current WFISD school bus driver, delivered a public comment saying he represents "several dozen employees" in the district’s transportation department and that they feel the board and administration have not responded to repeated requests for a meeting.
"To a person, they all said that they feel that you didn't call, reach out, because you didn't really care about the school bus drivers," Richards said. He asked the board to meet with drivers; he said many colleagues remained home and that they worried about facing "retribution from Gold Star."
Richards recounted decades of experience among the workforce and said the group wanted to be heard about safety and working conditions. "I told them to stay home. Don't bother showing up today," he said.
The comment was delivered during the public-comment period; board members thanked Richards but did not announce any immediate follow-up or a specific timeline to meet with transportation staff.
The superintendent and staff proceeded to the administrative portion of the meeting; Richards’s remarks were recorded in the public record and could prompt future private discussions between transportation employees and district administrators.
No formal board action was taken at the meeting in response to the comment.
