Higher Bus Staff Salary Scales Funded By Fairfax School Board

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — On Thursday, the Fairfax County School Board voted to increase the salary scales for the school district's transportation staff.

The 2.5 percent increase to the schedule H transportation salary scale is a market scale adjustment funded by $1.5 million from the fuel contingency reserve. This increase will impact any bus driver whose salaries were not increased when the School Board voted to increase the starting hourly pay to $22.91. The change will be effective starting with the pay period from Oct. 9 to 22.

According to a FCPS statement, the salary scale increase "recognizes the amazing work of our transportation team during the pandemic and every day."

The increase also seeks to make FCPS competitive in hiring bus drivers. The school district started the year with a bus driver shortage, which could have an impact on bus delays. Along with a higher starting pay, FCPS is providing a $3,000 recruitment bonus.

The School Board also directed the superintendent to look at salary scales of transportation employees in steps 1 to 5 to recognize their years of service. A market review of bus driver and bus attendant salaries and benefits in regional school districts will be completed this fall.