CENTRAL TEXAS — A lot of districts said they are dealing with bus driver shortages heading into a new school year. A few districts decided to increase their pay or add incentives to stay competitive.
KVUE reached out to school districts to see how each was doing prior to the 2018 school year:
Austin ISD
• No shortage
• $15.42 per hour with no experience
Bastrop ISD
• No shortage
• $15.25 per hour
Del Valle ISD
• 17 openings
• $14.75 to $17.93 per hour based on experience
Incentives:
- Two-week paid training if they do not have a CDL (DVISD will pay for their CDL license)
- $800 referral program for each person they refer to become a bus driver
- Part-time/full-time/split-time opportunities
- $500 monthly medical insurance contributions
Dripping Springs ISD
• 10 openings
• $15.43 to $19.40 per hour based on experience
Georgetown ISD
• No shortage
• $15.43 to $19.40 per hour based on experience
Incentives:
- Offer free paid training
Hays CISD
• No shortage
• $16.32 per hour
Lake Travis ISD
• 12 openings
• $18.27 per hour
Leander ISD
• 18 openings
• $17.25 per hour
Incentives:
- A CDL hire incentive: Pays the new hire a $500 sign on incentive if they are fully licensed with a Class B or A CDL and a Passenger and School Bus endorsement
- A Refer a Friend Incentive: Pays a current employee $250 for anyone hired and maintains employment for at least 90 working days
- Attendance Incentive: Pays a current employee $250 if they have two or less absences
Liberty Hill ISD
• No shortage
• $16.44 per hour
Offer reward/higher pay for people with experience
Manor ISD
• Four openings
• $16.00 per hour
Pflugerville ISD
• No shortage
• $17.00 per hour
Incentives:
- $3,000 bonus for new drivers
Taylor ISD
• No shortage
• $14.00 per hour starting pay