On Monday, the Nash County Association of Educators (NCAE) took another step in advocating for themselves and their fellow educators within the district. During the Nash County Public Schools Board of Education meeting, Nash NCAE members presented a petition urging district leaders to increase pay, improve communication, and enhance safety measures for school bus drivers and monitors.
“We’re asking for your help to keep our bus drivers on the road,” said Mary Arrington, a bus driver with over 16 years of experience in the district, as she addressed the board members.
The petition, signed by the majority of the district’s public-school transportation staff, calls for a transparent and competitive pay structure to attract and retain employees, a transition to a biweekly pay schedule, and the inclusion of transportation staff in supplemental pay opportunities.
“As things have gone up, pay has kind of remained stagnant. So, we’re asking for the raise so that we can continue to do the things that we enjoy doing, transporting our students,” said Nash NCAE President Shondik Boone.
President Boone, who has been with Nash County Schools for nearly 15 years as both a public-school bus driver and substitute teacher, emphasized how a lack of support for transportation staff ultimately affects students.
“If our co-workers, colleagues, and I are not able to do what we need to do for our families, that kind of puts us in a bind and that not only has an impact on us but our students as well,” said Boone.
The petition also urges district leaders to improve communication, particularly regarding bus routes, student discipline, and the needs of students requiring special accommodations. Additionally, it calls for enhanced bus safety measures that align with school building standards, adequate training for new staff before they begin routes, and timely repairs or replacements for buses and essential equipment. The association argues that without these improvements, staff retention will continue to decline.
“We have lost too many good colleagues. The children need us to be here for them and we’re calling on you to make possible that we be here to continue to do the work for them,” said Lisa Battle a bus driver with more than 40 years of experience.
Earlier in the day, the association held a press conference outside the district headquarters in Nashville, NC, where President Boone spoke with the media about their demands.
“Our question becomes are we getting the dedication from the district and the county commissioners that we need? Are we getting the support? We’re not asking for a lot,” Boone stated.
