Mechanics urge Cobb County school board to address fleet maintenance, safety and pay amid staff shortages
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Summary
Several Cobb County School District fleet mechanics told the board that shops lack diagnostic tools, equipment is aging, and staffing and pay are insufficient to maintain student transportation safety.
Multiple Cobb County School District fleet maintenance employees told the board during public comment on April 24 that understaffing, aging equipment and low pay are creating safety risks for the district's bus fleet.
Eric Carroll, who said he has worked in fleet maintenance for 14 years, described repeated attempts to raise safety concerns through the chain of command and said he felt those concerns were not taken seriously: “That was the most humiliating meeting I have ever been in my life,” Carroll said, describing meetings with supervisors and a transportation director. He said issues he raised were not addressed and said he could not believe safety was being overlooked.
B.J. (Tinker) Bailey, a mechanic at the Sanders Road Bus Shop, told the board that every bus shop in the county is short‑staffed and that technicians lack diagnostic equipment needed to troubleshoot modern buses. “We can't get the proper equipment we need,” Bailey said, and he urged the board to invest in equipment and staffing.
Danny Hendricks, a 10‑year district employee, said mechanics routinely work long shifts and overtime to keep buses running, recounting a recent stretch when staff worked 12‑hour days for nine days straight during state inspections. Hendricks said the age of some vehicles and support trucks — including a service truck from 1999 — increases the likelihood of fatigue and mistakes that could endanger students.
Board member Sailor asked whether the district's tentative FY26 budget includes specific line items for fleet maintenance; administration responded that fleet details are in the budget documents and encouraged the board member to follow up with Chief Technology and Operations Officer Mark Smith, who the superintendent said will lead further conversations about transportation and fleet needs.
No formal action was taken during public comment. The speakers asked the board to consider increased investment in diagnostic tools, replacement equipment and wages to recruit and retain qualified mechanics.