Transportation office staff urge HUMBLE ISD trustees to extend driver incentives and raises to routers and dispatchers

HUMBLE — Multiple transportation employees addressed the HUMBLE ISD Board of Trustees during public comment to request parity in pay and incentives for non-driver transportation staff.

"My name is Horge Montoya. I work with Umbol ISD Transportation," said Jorge Montoya, who thanked the board for an 8% raise for drivers but said "our office staff members didn't get that raise. They only got a 3% raise." He asked trustees to consider extending the driver incentive to routers, dispatchers, payroll staff and trainers who also drive and cover routes.

Rama Williams, identifying herself as a fuel clerk and bus driver, described office staff as "the true heartbeat and pulse that make every aspect of transportation run," and urged fairness for employees who hold CDLs or special-needs certifications yet earn less than drivers.

Trustees responded that the targeted incentive was intended to address a specific need to recruit and retain full-time drivers. Trustee Robert Scarfo acknowledged the service of office staff while explaining "the reason for that additional increase was to really address a very specific need and that is to bring on and have enough and retain enough full-time drivers who they do that 100% of their time." Several trustees expressed appreciation for transportation staff and sympathy for the office staff requests but noted budget constraints and the targeted nature of the incentive.

Why it matters: Transportation staffing directly affects student safety and daily operations; unequal pay for workers performing similar duties can affect retention and morale. Staff requested the board consider additional measures or future adjustments.

Next steps: Trustees said they would continue conversations with administration about potential options but did not adopt an immediate policy change at the meeting.