The continuing shortage of bus drivers was a topic during the May 19 Macon County Board of Education meeting. The board also received reports on the school system’s many construction projects. The meeting was held early this month to avoid falling on Memorial Day.
During the public comment period, bus drivers Connie Dills and Linda Doggins spoke about the system’s transportation department. Dills warned of ongoing issues with the school being unable to recruit and retain bus drivers and urged the board to adopt higher salaries for drivers. Dills also suggested changes to benefits and human resources communications so drivers can use their accumulated days off, receive pay increases after 20 years of experience, and improve how drivers who do not or cannot use their school email addresses get information from the school system.
“There’s a lot of people out there that will come, but we have no benefits,” Dills said. “So, if we want to get reliable people, we need to offer them something.”
Dills used Doggins, who has more than 20 years of experience, as an example.
“We need to give everyone a raise, especially the veterans,” Dills said. “I don’t see why Macon County can’t do that to show them that being a veteran and sticking with it through everything … when I get to 20 years, she’ll be way above me and she’s going to be making the same thing I am, and that’s not right.”
Doggins echoed Dills’ concerns, especially focusing on improving communications between the system and bus drivers.
Construction updates
Tracy Tallent gave updates on ongoing school construction projects: the upcoming Nantahala wastewater treatment facility renovation, the new Franklin High School, the Macon Middle School track and the Highlands Pre-K addition.
The Nantahala wastewater facility will undergo some routine renovations during a couple of weeks in early June, over which time the wastewater tanks will be evacuated, any damage to the tanks will be repaired, new liners will be installed, and the sand filter will be cleaned with new sand added.
Concrete is being poured at Franklin High with the digging and pouring of new footers. Tallent said after the concrete is finished, the next step of construction will be to begin laying down masonry block. Now that school is out, construction can begin on the parking lot to update and repair the drainage system and install new lighting. The parking lot will be finished before students return in the fall, Tallent said.
For the Highlands School addition, Tallent said, the windows, painting and flooring are completed and ready for inspection on the second level.
The Board of Education will meet with the County Commissioners on Wednesday, May 28, for a budget workshop. The next regular school board meeting will be at 6 p.m. Monday, June 20, at the Central Office on Old Murphy Road.