​Spring ISD Board Approves Bus Driver Pay Increase

SPRING, TX -- The Spring Independent School District Board of Trustees approved increasing the hourly wage for licensed bus drivers to $16.50 starting in February along with additional benefits in an effort to recruit bus drivers for the 2017-18 school year.

In November, voters approved a bond referendum that will allow the district to purchase 60 new buses needed to provide transportation services to 5,000 more students who live within a one-mile radius.

“We made a commitment to our community that we would move quickly to implement the transportation piece of the bond referendum in time for the next school year," said Mark Miranda, Spring ISD chief operations officer. "This means that we not only have to purchase the 60 new buses authorized by the bond, but we need to hire drivers for those buses as well. It is imperative that we begin now recruiting and training bus drivers."

Miranda said the pay increase, will help Spring ISD be more competitive by offering some of the highest starting pay for bus drivers.

Other benefits include an attendance incentive for bus drivers and bus attendants as well as a 50-percent reduction in daycare fees at the transportation department’s on-site daycare center.

Current drivers, attendants, route managers and transportation mechanics will also receive a pay increase.

Although the state only funds transportation services to students who live within two miles of their school, Spring ISD has been working to increase the number of students served in the district.

In 2015, the district increased transportation to include more than 2,000 students who live within a 1.5-mile radius.

When transportation increases to the 1-mile radius this August, about 22,000 students will be eligible for services, increasing student safety and decreasing traffic congestion during arrival and dismissal times district-wide.

Spring ISD will hold a transportation job fair from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 23 at the Transportation Center, 341 East Richey Rd.

No previous experience is required, but individuals should enjoy working with children and have a good driving record.

Applicants should bring their Texas driver’s license, social security card and three reference numbers to the job fair.

For more information, call 281-891-6490.

Photo courtesy of Spring ISD (Spring ISD bus driver, Andrea Crafton, prepares to pull out of the Spring ISD Transportation Center bus lot.)