SHEPHERD — Assistant Superintendent of HR and Student Services Drew Escamilla proposed that the district adjust the current compensation for full-time CDL bus drivers and consider an adjustment to improve Shepherd ISD's ability to recruit and retain qualified drivers.
During the Thursday board meeting, Escamilla said that the estimated financial impact of the proposed compensation adjustment is approximately $21,000.
“Based on a review of full-time CDL bus driver pay among surrounding school districts, Shepherd ISD currently ranks last in starting pay,” Escamilla said.
Escamilla said that the current starting rate for a full-time CDL bus driver is $18.75 per hour. This places the district at a competitive disadvantage, particularly as Shepherd ISD has experienced drivers leaving for employment opportunities with surrounding school districts.
The Shepherd ISD administration suggested to the council that a $2.75 increase in the starting rate, midpoint, and the maximum compensation level will give the district the ability to retain and hire new bus drivers.
“Adjusting the entire pay range maintains appropriate compensation differences between new and experienced drivers and helps avoid pay compression,” Escamilla said.
This new adjustment will move Shepherd ISD from the lowest starting rate for CDL bus drivers to the top position tied with Cleveland ISD at $21.50.
Escamilla said that maintaining an adequate number of qualified CDL drivers is essential to the daily operation of the district. Driver shortages can directly affect route coverage, transportation times, staffing flexibility, employee workload, and overall transportation reliability.
“A competitive pay scale allows the district to take a more proactive approach to staffing rather than continually responding to vacancies after experienced drivers leave,” Escamilla said.
The board unanimously approved the $2.75 per hour increase to the full-time CDL bus driver pay scale, including an equivalent increase to the minimum, midpoint, and maximum hourly rates.
The new hourly rates will be efficient starting Nov. 1.
In other business:
The next board meeting will be Nov. 19.
