MOORE COUNTY, N.C. — Moore County Schools bus driver pay could increase significantly as district leaders work to recruit more drivers, improve retention and address transportation shortages before the new school year.
The Moore County Board of Education reviewed a proposal during its Aug. 3 work session that would raise the starting hourly rate for school bus drivers from $16.70 to $20. The top hourly rate would increase from $20.71 to $24.15.
The proposal has not yet received final approval.
Proposed Moore County Schools bus driver pay rates
The proposed Moore County Schools bus driver pay plan includes three key figures:
- Starting pay: Increasing from $16.70 to $20 per hour
- Top pay rate: Increasing from $20.71 to $24.15 per hour
- Estimated cost: Approximately $300,000
Transportation Director Jason Nelson told board members that employee surveys repeatedly identified pay as a major concern. The district has experienced an ongoing driver shortage, requiring current employees to cover additional routes.
How the proposal could affect students
District leaders hope the higher wages will make Moore County Schools more competitive when recruiting commercial driver’s license holders from surrounding counties.
Hiring additional drivers could also reduce the number of combined or extended routes. That could shorten the amount of time some students spend riding buses before and after school while easing the workload placed on existing drivers.
The proposed Moore County Schools bus driver pay rate was intentionally set above rates offered by some neighboring school systems. Officials believe the $20 starting wage could become an important part of the district’s recruitment campaign.
State transportation funding would cover cost
The estimated $300,000 cost would be paid through state transportation funding rather than local tax dollars. Board members reviewed transportation budgets from multiple years and indicated that the increase could be sustained with the available state funding.
District officials said an aggressive hiring campaign would begin after the Board of Education provides final approval. Recruitment materials would prominently advertise the proposed $20-per-hour starting rate.
Training is available for new school bus drivers
Potential applicants do not necessarily need to have a commercial driver’s license before expressing interest in a position. The state provides CDL training for new school bus drivers, and Moore County Schools reimburses licensing costs after a driver successfully completes the process.
That training assistance, combined with higher Moore County Schools bus driver pay, is intended to attract new applicants and encourage current drivers to remain with the district.
What happens next?
The Board of Education must give final approval before the new rates take effect. If approved, district leaders plan to begin promoting the positions immediately as Moore County Schools prepares for the upcoming school year.
Source: Original reporting by Abegail Murphy of Sandhills Sentinel.
