Finance committee approves $25 flat hourly rate for activity bus drivers, adds overnight stipend

The Ouachita Parish School Board finance committee approved changes to activity‑trip pay for school bus drivers, replacing the previous driving/downtime split with a simplified flat hourly rate and overnight stipend.

Wayland McCormick, the district’s director of transportation, told the committee the prior system — which paid $20 for driving time and $10 for downtime and required multiple approvals — produced confusion and frequent corrections in the payroll process. “To say it was a disaster is probably very low‑balling it because it was indeed a disaster,” McCormick said.

Under the new schedule approved by the committee, drivers will receive a flat $25 per hour for activity trips. If a trip requires an overnight hotel stay, drivers will receive a $200 overnight stipend; for assignments exceeding eight hours, the rate increases by $25 per hour for the hours above eight. McCormick said the $75 fuel charge and mileage practice remain unchanged.

Committee discussion clarified funding responsibilities: most activity‑trip pay is drawn from school activity budgets (athletics, band, cheer, etc.), though some trips tied to federal grants (Title programs or special‑education transports) may be paid from grant funds. Principals and school bookkeepers said a single flat rate simplifies budgeting for student participation fees and field‑trip costs.

Committee members agreed on an October 1 start date so schools have time to reconcile existing budgets for fall activities. When called to vote, the committee adopted the new trip rates by voice vote.

Ending: The transportation department will work with schools and bookkeepers on implementation and on communicating the new rates and effective date to principals and activity sponsors.