Pender County Board of Education approves new incentives for bus drivers
BURGAW, NC (WWAY) — The Pender County Board of Education approved a proposal aimed at stabilizing the district’s transportation system by investing in bus driver incentives at its Committee of the Whole meeting on September 30.
District leaders highlighted ongoing challenges with driver shortages and transportation delays that impact both daily routes and after-school activities.
On an average day, PCS transportation operates without six to eight bus drivers due to resignations and medical absences, compounding a severe nationwide shortage of qualified drivers.
“Our bus drivers are a vital part of the PCS team,” said Pender County Schools Superintendent Dr. Brad Breedlove. “They are the first face many of our students see each morning, and their work directly supports learning by getting students to school safely and on time. We must take meaningful steps to recruit and retain drivers in order to keep our system strong.”
The approved incentives include:
- Daily Attendance Incentive: A $5 per run daily incentive for all bus drivers, totaling up to $10 per day for AM and PM routes.
- Increased Pay for Certified Staff: Raising pay for certified staff who drive buses by $5 per hour, to $27.80 per hour.
- Instructional Assistant Incentive: Offering $5 per hour for Instructional Assistants who take on bus runs outside of their normal assignment.
The total cost of the incentive package is projected not to exceed $600,000 annually.
Expected outcomes include improved driver attendance, greater retention of experienced drivers, and stronger recruitment of new staff willing to take on driving responsibilities.
