The Wright City R-II School Board voted in favor of a pay increase for transportation staff during its monthly meeting on Dec. 19.

Discussion centered around the district’s options for negotiation with its bus contractor, Durham School Services, which provides transportation staff.

The board approved the pay increase 6-0 in order to be competitive with area districts, and because Durham has been a reliable partner.

Bus drivers will receive approximately $3 per hour raises, with rates varying between single and double-route drivers.

Bus monitor pay will increase 65 cents from $23.74 to $24.39.

Pay for driving activity trips, such as field trips and athletics, increased from $34.41 to $38.31.

“The proposal was higher than anticipated, but I fully support the raise, because they have not been receiving the raises other staff have within the district,” said Superintendent Dr. David Buck. “Teacher pay was very close with other districts, but those districts had created a gap in pay for bus drivers and monitors.” 

While Wright City schools contract transportation with Durham, alleviating the district from finding its own staff, other districts have faced challenges filling positions. 

“There is a regional bus driver shortage,” said Buck. “If we were to go looking for our own drivers, we would be in competition with other districts.”

To manage the shortage, Durham pulled in its own drivers from other states, including Indiana and Minnesota, to avoid any disruption in routes. 

Currently, R-II operates 23 bus routes, with drivers traveling approximately 1,800 miles per day. This does not include extracurricular activities or field trips. 

The district currently saves on driver pay for FFA trips, as the organization sponsors volunteer time to serve as driver for functions.