WJCC board approves $3 hourly raise for bus drivers; educators urge full pay-study implementation in FY26 budget

The Williamsburg-James City County School Board voted to authorize a $3-per-hour salary increase for school bus drivers employed as of Jan. 1, 2025, a move board staff said will raise starting pay to $20.76 per hour and cost an estimated $172,000 to implement.

The raise, approved by recorded voice vote during the Jan. 21 meeting, was presented to the board as a targeted response to a statewide and national shortage of drivers that has disrupted arrival and dismissal schedules and forced the division to rely on outside contractors. At the meeting, several public speakers also urged the board to use the FY26 operating budget to implement broader recommendations from a recent compensation study for teachers and support staff.

WJCC staff member Mr. Snipes summarized the proposal and its fiscal effect: "The request would increase driver pay by $3 per hour. Starting pay would then be $20.76 per hour. The estimated cost of implementation is $172,000." The motion to approve the increase was moved by Mister Riffle and seconded by Mister Hossang; the board recorded seven ayes and no nays, and the motion carried.

Board members and staff said the raise is intended to improve recruitment and retention and to better align WJCC pay with neighboring divisions. When asked where the raise would place WJCC in regional comparisons, staff said, "This would put us somewhere close to first compared with York, Gloucester, New Kent," while noting that other localities such as Hampton and Newport News may pay more.

Public commenters described concrete consequences of the driver shortage and broader pay concerns. Marco Sarty, president of the EJCA, said the association’s survey of staff found broad support for the compensation-study recommendations and that, among teachers who responded, "the most important pay scale change is to the longevity pay and the stipends." Andy Kays, treasurer of the WJCEA, told the board: "I implore you to take a look at many of your employees' comments in the survey results... please take our voices into consideration when you construct your budget of need."

Parents and school employees described operational impacts. Jessica Anderson, who works on a student wellness initiative, said her after-school program was forced to turn away 30 students because transportation was not available. Tabitha Dalton, who identified herself as a parent, told the board that the division may have "over 50 something vacancies for school bus drivers," urging the board to address pay and hiring.

Sharon Tyler, a WJCC school bus driver, described working conditions and safety concerns: "Many of the drivers get up at 4 o'clock, and they're on the bus sometime between 5:15 and 5:45 in the morning... This morning, my hands particularly were absolutely in pain from the cold. We'd like to request that somebody consider giving them some hand warmers." Tyler also said some runs carry "40, 50 to 70 students" and asked the board to consider seat belts on routes where they are recommended.

Board members framed the raise as an immediate, targeted step while public commenters urged broader action in the FY26 budget to implement the full compensation-study recommendations for teachers, custodians, aides and other support staff. Board records show the superintendent recommended the board review the $3-per-hour increase and be prepared to vote at the Jan. 21 meeting; the board approved the measure that same night.

The approved raise is effective Jan. 1, 2025. Board and staff representatives said further budget deliberations on FY26 compensation priorities will continue in subsequent budget work sessions and meetings.