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Tomball ISD proposes immediate bus-driver pay increases to address staffing shortages
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Martha Salazar Zamora said the district is proposing to raise full‑time bus-driver pay to a minimum $25 per hour (trainees $20, subs $22) effective Nov. 15 to improve recruitment and retention; the board will consider the compensation amendment at its Nov. 11 meeting.
Superintendent Dr. Martha Salazar Zamora presented a recommendation to amend the 2025–26 compensation plan for transportation staff to address driver shortages and improve retention.
District officials said current full-time drivers make about $19.10 per hour and that the proposed change would raise the minimum full-time rate to $25 per hour, set trainee pay at $20 during CDL training and increase substitute driver pay to $22. Dr. Zamora said the district has seen shortages and operational strains that require prompt action and that the district will ensure no student is excluded from courses because of modest course fees.
Trustees asked several implementation questions, including whether existing drivers receive a minimum raise (administration said full‑time drivers would make at least $25 after the change, with incremental increases based on years of service), the effective date (administration said Nov. 15 if the board approves on Nov. 11), and whether the district has staffing for stop‑finder app support and call-center responses. Trustees urged the district to examine operational staffing to reduce administrative burdens on transportation staff.
Administration framed the proposal as both recruitment and retention: immediate pay increases for transportation staff and a recognition that surrounding districts have also increased pay rates. The recommendation will be on the Nov. 11 regular meeting consent/considered agenda for potential board approval.
