Durham looks into hiring private vendors as school bus drivers

On Thursday, Durham Public Schools will consider using private vendors to help tackle the bus driver shortage and hire the workers it needs.

Durham school bus routes delayed due to driver absences

At Thursday's work session, Durham Board of Education members will consider hiring three different transportation companies to help avoid delays and ease overcrowding on school buses. They'll also consider contracting a cleaning service to meet other staffing shortages.

According to DPS, the custodial services department has been using additional labor to maintain cleanliness and disinfecting since the start of the school year.

In September, the board approved a pay raise for drivers, raising the minimum wage to $17 an hour and making Durham drivers among the highest paid bus drivers in the state.

Raise for Durham school bus drivers could make them highest paid drivers in the Triangle

On Tuesday, Wake County leaders approved a bonus for bus drivers and other employees in the district, but many drivers and educators say it isn't enough.

'We are not going to stop': Wake bus drivers continue sick out for third day even after board decides on bonuses