Schools

Bus Drivers Irritated by Low Summer Pay

Three Parkland bus drivers told school board directors that a decrease in pay during the summer for cleaning district buildings is a hardship.

Three irritated Parkland School District bus drivers vented their frustrations to the Parkland School Board Tuesday night, stating that their summer assignments just aren't worth the money.

Lamar Borger, Debbie Reppert and Lisa Duffield all expressed their collective displeasure about having to clean district school buildings for $8.06 per hour during the summer months, a steep pay cut from the approximately $100 per day they earn driving buses during the school year.

"A number of drivers have to make a subsistance living (in the summer)," Borger said. "The measley pay is a blow to them We may as well work at Burger King and eat for free."

Find out what's happening in Upper Macungiewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The trio say they work four-to-five hours per day during the school year driving buses for just more than $100 per day, but work eight hours per day cleaning school buildings during the summer months, earning $8.06 per hour.

Borger said the bus drivers belong to the same union as teachers during the school year, but that the union contract doesn't apply during the summer months. They do not receive health benefits.

Find out what's happening in Upper Macungiewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The drivers said that five drivers with high senority are assigned to the district's bus garage over the summer and receive higher pay for cleaning buses and assorted work at the "field trip rate" of $15.50 per hour.

However, Borger said the school district hires teenagers and other employees to work in the garage during the summer.

"We asked if we could work in the garage and the answer is no," he said.

Borger said a possible solution to the problem would be the ability to collect partial unemployment benefits. However, he said the school district will not allow that.

The school board did not address the situation with the drivers following their complaints.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here