Board pulls bus driver pay from consent, discusses pay increases, incentives and will redraft policy

A board member asked that the item on substitute/bus driver pay be removed from the consent agenda so the district could consider pay increases and incentives in light of driver shortages.

Speaker 3 summarized the problem: retirements and outside offers have contributed to a turnover of drivers, and the district needs to increase pay or offer incentives to retain and recruit staff. "We're gonna have to increase that," the speaker said, noting discussions with staff members Dwayne and Shane about appropriate rates.

Members debated whether to include fixed dollar amounts in policy. Several said it would be better to preserve flexibility in the policy language so pay rates can be adjusted without amending the policy repeatedly. "We can change the wording where we reserve the right to adjust those prices," a board member said.

Staff (Speaker 5) described recent recruitment activity: a Facebook posting about a sign‑on bonus prompted calls and applicants, and the transportation unit has seen notable turnover. The staff member said the district had hired replacements but had lost around six drivers since the start of the year and is short one driver and one mechanic's helper.

Possible funding sources for incentives were discussed; staff noted a previously approved purchase of a large tow truck whose delivery has been delayed, freeing some funds later in the year that could be repurposed for retention or sign‑on payments.

Board members instructed staff to revise the policy language and return with a recommendation. The item was removed from the consent agenda and effectively tabled pending revised language and a future vote. No final pay rates or a formal compensation schedule were approved in the recorded segments.