Crosby ISD board approves three‑tier bell schedule starting Jan. 6, with changes to transportation and a $1.50 bus‑driver raise
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Summary
Crosby ISD trustees approved a three‑tier bell schedule to begin Jan. 6, 2026, and a revised compensation schedule that includes a $1.50 hourly raise for bus drivers as officials seek to address routing, double runs and driver shortages. Parents were given a Dec. 1 deadline to request transportation changes.
Crosby ISD trustees on Monday approved a three‑tier bell schedule that will begin with the spring semester on Jan. 6, 2026, with high school hours set for 7:05 a.m.–2:25 p.m., elementary campuses 7:45 a.m.–3:25 p.m., and the middle school 8:30 a.m.–4:20 p.m.
The superintendent’s cabinet told the board the change is intended to eliminate many double bus runs, improve on‑time arrival and create efficiencies. Staff said doors will open earlier at several campuses (high school doors at 6:30 a.m.; elementary campuses will open at 7:15 a.m.) and stressed that curriculum, testing calendars and official attendance times will not change because of the new bell schedule.
District transportation staff described several operational steps: routing based on a 30‑minute anchor time, additional route testing before Jan. 6, and a parental window for Skyward transportation changes open Nov. 7–Dec. 1. The district plans to publish updated bus schedules to parents on Dec. 15 and is using ParentSquare and a Sunday newsletter to reach families.
To support the schedule shift, the board also approved a revised compensation schedule for fiscal year 2025–26 that includes a $1.50 hourly raise for bus drivers. Human resources and transportation staff said the raise is intended to make pay competitive with nearby districts, to help recruit new drivers and to reduce absenteeism; the district will continue to monitor other districts’ pay plans as budgets are set next year.
Trustees pressed staff on operational details: how many staff will cover early‑opening windows, the estimated short‑term cost (staff cited about $15,000 for additional para coverage for the remainder of the semester), coverage by administrators and SROs, and the effect on extracurricular travel. Staff said SRO hours were shifted rather than increasing overtime and that the district provides CDL training and pays drivers while they train.
The board’s vote to adopt the revised compensation schedule and implement the three‑tier plan was unanimous. Officials said they will continue monitoring the plan’s effects and adjust communications and staffing as needed.
