School bus drivers complain that low pay and a lack of support have created stressful working conditions that threaten job security and bus safety.
More than 50 bus drivers and monitors met during the past two months to compile a list of concerns shared with administrators and School Board members. They said they feel slighted in salary and respect, and they plan to protest at the Sept. 25 School Board meeting.
Drivers will ask for more money and to be paid even when off for school and seasonal holidays, a line-item nixed in this year's budget. Drivers in some other Hampton Roads school divisions don't get paid holidays, either. Drivers can have money deducted from their base monthly pay for distribution during breaks, but some drivers say they can't afford it. They also want more opportunities for additional pay, including extra bus runs such as field trips and athletic events.
According to The Pilot's 2013-14 school employee salary database, Portsmouth bus drivers make between $11,230 and $17,620.
Peggy Wilson, who has driven a school bus for about 40 years, said the demands stress her out. Wilson said drivers complete extra routes to cover for shortages but don't receive extra pay.
"I used to love to come to work," she said. "But I don't anymore. It's like we're not appreciated."
Along with pay concerns, drivers say they buy their own paper towels, disinfectant and other materials to clean buses. Division leaders say they are creating a plan to address that. Broken radio equipment hinders calls for help during student fights, and several buses need to be repaired or replaced, drivers said.
LaToria Smith, a driver who is organizing the effort, said some students challenge drivers' authority because conduct notices written by drivers fail to produce discipline from school administrators. Smith said drivers have complained about being threatened with physical harm and spit on, as well as students smoking marijuana and performing oral sex on buses. Smith said even repeated misbehavior fails to bar students from bus transportation, and parents accost drivers for reprimanding students.
Smith, who has been driving for five years, praised drivers' dedication but said morale has hit rock bottom. Drivers worry about retaliation for speaking out, so she has taken the lead.
"We really need a lot of help," she said. "Our department is broken."
Smith said division transportation officials hadn't done enough to address their concerns, so drivers organized their own meetings and alerted school leaders and School Board members.
"Now you know, so what are you going to do?" Smith said. "Are you going to allocate more money?"
Since the drivers began speaking up, interim Superintendent Patricia Fisher hosted two division-sponsored transportation meetings and is working on the concerns. The division also conducted a survey, and more than half of the 180 transportation workers responded, Assistant Superintendent Chris Steele said. The results will be used to create a transportation committee and a plan to address compensation and benefits, policy and management issues.
Board member Costella Williams attended one of the driver meetings at City Park and said she was appalled, especially by drivers' concerns about pay. Earlier this month, board members asked school administration to look into the drivers' concerns after Williams raised the issue. Board member Joseph Fleming, who also attended the drivers' meeting, said that drivers' and monitors' voices needed to be heard and valued. A tight budget makes pay increases difficult, he said, but the board should start now to look for money.
More than 50 bus drivers and monitors met during the past two months to compile a list of concerns shared with administrators and School Board members. They said they feel slighted in salary and respect, and they plan to protest at the Sept. 25 School Board meeting.
Drivers will ask for more money and to be paid even when off for school and seasonal holidays, a line-item nixed in this year's budget. Drivers in some other Hampton Roads school divisions don't get paid holidays, either. Drivers can have money deducted from their base monthly pay for distribution during breaks, but some drivers say they can't afford it. They also want more opportunities for additional pay, including extra bus runs such as field trips and athletic events.
According to The Pilot's 2013-14 school employee salary database, Portsmouth bus drivers make between $11,230 and $17,620.
Peggy Wilson, who has driven a school bus for about 40 years, said the demands stress her out. Wilson said drivers complete extra routes to cover for shortages but don't receive extra pay.
"I used to love to come to work," she said. "But I don't anymore. It's like we're not appreciated."
Along with pay concerns, drivers say they buy their own paper towels, disinfectant and other materials to clean buses. Division leaders say they are creating a plan to address that. Broken radio equipment hinders calls for help during student fights, and several buses need to be repaired or replaced, drivers said.
LaToria Smith, a driver who is organizing the effort, said some students challenge drivers' authority because conduct notices written by drivers fail to produce discipline from school administrators. Smith said drivers have complained about being threatened with physical harm and spit on, as well as students smoking marijuana and performing oral sex on buses. Smith said even repeated misbehavior fails to bar students from bus transportation, and parents accost drivers for reprimanding students.
Smith, who has been driving for five years, praised drivers' dedication but said morale has hit rock bottom. Drivers worry about retaliation for speaking out, so she has taken the lead.
"We really need a lot of help," she said. "Our department is broken."
Smith said division transportation officials hadn't done enough to address their concerns, so drivers organized their own meetings and alerted school leaders and School Board members.
"Now you know, so what are you going to do?" Smith said. "Are you going to allocate more money?"
Since the drivers began speaking up, interim Superintendent Patricia Fisher hosted two division-sponsored transportation meetings and is working on the concerns. The division also conducted a survey, and more than half of the 180 transportation workers responded, Assistant Superintendent Chris Steele said. The results will be used to create a transportation committee and a plan to address compensation and benefits, policy and management issues.
Board member Costella Williams attended one of the driver meetings at City Park and said she was appalled, especially by drivers' concerns about pay. Earlier this month, board members asked school administration to look into the drivers' concerns after Williams raised the issue. Board member Joseph Fleming, who also attended the drivers' meeting, said that drivers' and monitors' voices needed to be heard and valued. A tight budget makes pay increases difficult, he said, but the board should start now to look for money.
