YASMINA CHAVEZ
A student waits to exit a bus Aug. 9, 2021, at Hannah Marie Brown Elementary School in Henderson. The Clark County School District’s transportation department’s roster of bus drivers is about 15% down from its full complement, which is causing havoc for many families.
Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021 | 2 a.m.
The Clark County School District is prepared to pay new and existing bus drivers and other transportation workers up to $1,500 each in hiring and retention bonuses to combat a crippling employee shortage, pending school board approval this week.
The incentives apply to bus drivers, aides and mechanics. The funds will come from current vacancies, according to a proposal for this Thursday’s school board meeting.
The new-hire incentives would apply to employees who join CCSD between Oct. 1 and June 30, 2022, and would be paid in three $500 installments. Retention bonuses would also come in three payments.
Additionally, district employees can pick up a $500 referral bonus if they help bring in a successful transportation hire. Referral bonuses are one-time payments, once a new hire has been in place for at least nine months.
The Education Support Staff Employees Association, which represents transportation employees, reached the tentative agreement with district officials as CCSD continues to grapple with a shortage of about 240 drivers alone.
The incentive item is scheduled to be heard at the tail end of a likely dramatic meeting, which also includes potentially terminating Superintendent Jesus Jara’s contract and removing Linda Cavazos as the board’s president.
