Crosby ISD weighs three‑tier start times and a bus‑driver pay boost to reduce late arrivals

Crosby ISD transportation staff presented two options aimed at reducing missed instruction time and chronic late arrivals: adopt a three‑tier start schedule to eliminate many double runs, or increase bus‑driver starting pay to improve recruitment and retention.

“Again, the goal of this all is to quickly increase the efficiency and the reduced loss of instruction time,” said the presenter. Staff outlined tradeoffs for a three‑tier schedule: it would reduce buses stuck in traffic on FM 2100 and reduce double runs, but middle‑school dismissal could move to about 4:20 p.m., creating afternoon childcare and extracurricular timing challenges.

On compensation, staff proposed raising the starting hourly pay to $21.25, which they said would move Crosby to the middle of area districts’ pay ranges and yield average annual pay roughly $21,802 (figures presented by staff). The district estimated an approximately $50,000 immediate cost if the raise started in January, with a potential annual budget impact nearer $100,000 if fully implemented across the year; staff said the current fleet has about 39 buses ready and the district is short about 13 driver positions.

Board members pressed for practical tests — “dummy routes” and updated mileage and run‑time data — before committing to a schedule change. Staff said a parent survey and additional route testing would precede any start‑time adoption, and that an implementation date could be January 2026 or fall 2026 depending on results and staffing.

No formal board action was taken; staff requested direction and said they would return with additional route simulations and survey results.