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The Whitehouse ISD Board of Trustees approved an update to the Transportation Pay Plan at their monthly meeting Thursday. The update adjusts pay rates for bus drivers and other transportation staff.

“Several discussions have occurred over the past fall semester regarding field trip pay between the transportation department, district administration, and the school board,” said Tara Matthews, Chief Human Resources Officer for Whitehouse ISD.

The proposal recommended increasing the pay rate for bus drivers on field trips to align with their regular route pay. Currently, bus drivers are paid $21.63 an hour for regular routes and $14 an hour for field trips. The proposal was to raise the field trip rate to $21.63, with a three-hour minimum.

“As the responsibilities of bus drivers on field trips are consistent with those on regular routes, compensating them at a similar rate will better reflect the importance of their role,” Matthews said. “This adjustment to the hourly rate helps address staffing challenges and ensures we can meet the demand for field trip transportation across the district.”

The board also approved the Emergency Closing Wage Payment Resolution, which ensures employees are paid in the event of school closures due to emergencies, such as the severe weather that occurred on Jan. 10.

“This resolution allows wage payments for all scheduled employees,” Matthews said. “It is intended to maintain morale, provide equity between idled and working employees, and ensure staffing continuity during the closure.”

According to Matthews, this move is standard practice during weather-related closures each year.

“I am thankful for the board’s support in taking care of our employees,” she said.