The John Glenn School Board members considered several items on the table for bus drivers during their meeting this week.
Superintendent Christopher Winchell explained that the auditors were concerned that the school board hadn’t officially approved some financial measures when it came to bus drivers and the transportation director.
“There was a concern that the board had not officially approved the supplemental payments that we’ve been providing the bus drivers to help be fair with their time for additional work when children are not on the bus,” Winchell said.
Winchell said all of that was reduced to writing by Business Manager Tom Bendy and Transportation Director Marie Fansler.
The school board members approved the supplemental pay as presented. Winchell noted that this action will be outlined in the employee handbook so it is clear.
Another measure approved unanimously by the board was an additional $100 engine block stipend for the bus drivers. Winchell stressed that the stipend will be given to drivers of both diesel and gasoline-fueled buses, after a question regarding that issue was posed by School Board Member Jeff Johnson.
“What I have found is that the gasoline buses do, in fact, have a plug-in similar to the diesel engines. What the bus companies recommend is that it keeps all of the fluids at a better temperature which is less wear and tear in the extreme cold.”
He said plugging in all buses may help extend the life span of the bus fleet.
