Bus drivers tell Newport News school board they face abuse, pay cuts and retaliation; ask for town halls and policy fixes

At the Newport News School Board meeting on May 20, several school bus drivers and transportation staff told the board they are facing worsening working conditions — including student misconduct, alleged retaliation after speaking up and changes to pay and assignments — and urged the board to take action.

"Drivers and assistants are being verbally, mentally, and some even physically abused on a daily basis," a bus driver told the board, describing daily insults and, in some cases, physical aggression. Another speaker said long‑time employees have been passed over for equipment upgrades and that some drivers lack functioning air conditioning; one driver described a recent hospital visit for heat exhaustion tied to driving an older diesel bus without AC.

Yvonne Spisay, who said she has worked as a bus assistant for more than 20 years, told the board she has experienced payroll deductions and a pattern of disciplinary penalties that she called arbitrary. "I got money cut from my check — $55 is taken from me," she said, and added that small recurring deductions over years had a large cumulative effect; she characterized the practice as evidence of unfair treatment and asked the board to produce the written policy that justifies the deductions.

Eric Burton, speaking for employees, said changes to the district's prescription insurance required employees to go through prior authorization; he said denials and therapy changes have forced some employees onto FMLA and hurt attendance. "This is affecting people across the board throughout the whole district," he said, and asked that the district consider restoring prior coverage or otherwise reduce harm to staff.

Speakers urged the board to hold town halls and to visit worksites so board members can hear drivers' concerns directly. A board member in the audience echoed the request for direct engagement and suggested town halls and on‑site listening sessions.

The speakers tied these workplace problems to a growing driver shortage that they said is causing late or missed routes and jeopardizing student attendance. Several asked for clearer discipline protocols for students on buses, transparent payroll policies and assurances that employees who speak up will not be retaliated against.

The board did not adopt an immediate formal action at the meeting. Speakers asked that the superintendent's office receive any documentation of alleged retaliation or payroll irregularities so staff can follow up; a board member suggested scheduling additional public engagement in drivers’ work settings. The transportation concerns were recorded during the public‑comment portion of the meeting; the board moved on to the consent agenda without taking a vote specifically on these requests.

Ending

Drivers and supporters asked the board for specific follow up (town halls, an investigation into alleged retaliatory practices and clarity on payroll policies). The meeting record shows no formal board vote on those follow‑up requests at this meeting; presenters were encouraged to bring documentation to district staff for investigation.