In Charles County Maryland School Bus Drivers and Attendants are currently getting paid at a 4 step increase: 0-4 years; $20.12, 5-9 years; $20.55, 10-19 years; $21.02 and 20+years $21.97. This means a driver of 30 or 40 years makes only $1.85 more per hour than a new driver. Drivers and Attendants are only guaranteed six hours a day at one hundred eighty days a year. Meaning a new driver is guaranteed 21,729.60 annually before taxes are taken out and the most any driver is guaranteed is $23,727.60 annually. No paid holidays and limited leave days.
School bus drivers have to be Certified and retain a Commercial Driver's license through motor vehicles, have a yearly physical, go to yearly in-service training, have a good driving record with no less than 3 points at all times on their license. Drivers and Attendants must also have a full background check before stepping on bus. School bus drivers are professionals and certified.
Drivers and Attendants are up early every morning and out every evening in every type of weather and conditions. Most busses have no air conditioning during hot weather. They are transporting children on our increasingly crowed roads, with no additional pay for being stuck traffic.
Except for special needs busses the bus driver is responsible for the student's safety and behavior on the bus, while trying to navigate the roads safely. Little and sometimes no help is given to the drivers when a behavior issue arises on their bus.
Drivers and Attendants can not support their families under the current wages and are petitioning the Charles County Commissioner requesting a $5 hour increase in pay along with paid holidays and better benefits. An increase in wages should be in increments of 5 years with no limit to 5 year increments. There should be a standard procedure for bus referrals across the county to insure students causing distractions on the busses will be addressed and in a timely manner. Drivers and Attendants should be paid for 8 hours a day.
Drivers and Attendants are transporting your most valuable possessions (your children), yet make far less than your trashman or your mailman.
