Fort Zumwalt board approves short-term bus driver pay increase to $23–$29 hourly
Summary
To address driver shortages, the board approved a one-year pay plan raising the starting bus-driver wage to $23/hour and the top rate to $29/hour; estimated cost for current staff is just under $220,000.
Erin Williams, executive director overseeing transportation, presented a one-year bus driver pay plan intended to improve recruitment and retention.
"We think the plan that you have in front of you would accomplish that starting at $23 an hour," Williams said, adding the top rate in the schedule would be $29 an hour. She told the board the projected cost for current staff is "right under $220,000." Williams also said the district is operating roughly 13 drivers short daily and currently contracts some routes to outside providers; she said honoring prior experience within the last 10 years would be part of the plan.
Board members asked how years of service are credited and whether every driver would receive an increase; Williams said the proposal would give an increase to everyone under the one-year plan and would honor recent years of experience.
The board approved the 2025–26 bus driver pay plan by voice vote. Staff said the plan will be revisited in the fall as part of broader compensation discussions.
