Bus contractors urge pay adjustment; Knox County Schools to reassess in fall

John Llewellyn, owner of JLL Transport, told the Knox County Board of Education on April 29 that transportation contractors are facing higher operating costs and that the district’s current FY26 budget would amount to a pay cut for some contractors.

Llewellyn said bus prices, insurance and other costs have risen sharply and that driver recruitment remains difficult. “If y'all approve the budget the way it is and we don't get a raise, my lights are still gonna stay on and I'm still gonna eat. But 50 or a hundred dollars a month extra to a school bus driver is probably the difference between them eating and their, and them, paying their light bill and staying gainfully employed with me,” he said.

Dr. Adams, a district staff member who spoke for the administration, thanked Llewellyn and said the district would assess increased contractor costs and consider options. “In 2022 … we gave our contractors $450,000 to address their needs,” Dr. Adams said, and added that staff would “revisit it in the fall” and “bring back some options to the board.”

Dr. Reisling, a board member, told contractors that any change would require a formal board action. “Any action would be something we have to bring back to the board,” he said, and noted the district did not have the requested funds immediately: “So we don't have the $450,000 right now.”

Board members and staff described the process as an assessment over summer months with any proposed compensation change presented to the board for approval in the fall. Board staff said they would look for realized savings or budget adjustments after July 1 before returning a proposal.

The board was considering the FY26 general purpose budget when the public comment and the ensuing discussion occurred; the board approved that budget later in the meeting. The administration did not present a finalized compensation plan at the April 29 meeting and no immediate budget amendment was made.