School bus driver Coverage

Wake school board approves more frequent pay for bus drivers, others in bid to boost retention

Currently, the system's nearly 20,000 employees are paid once per month. But thousands want that to change, new survey data show.

Emily Walkenhorst, WRAL education reporter

Durham salutes school bus driver who saved kids from fire

Deona Washingtonwas able to get 28 students safely off her bus when it caught fire.

Wake bus drivers, cafeteria staff would get paid more often if school board gets its wish

School board members favored the move but await more details before voting.

Emily Walkenhorst, WRAL education reporter

Brogden Middle School students, principal honor school bus driver who saved 28 students from bus fire

Brogden Middle School students and staff thanked school bus driver Deona Washington for saving 28 students after a school bus caught fire on Friday.

Durham Public Schools classes resume, school board looks ahead at budget

Classes resumed Tuesday for Durham Public Schools as the district tries to sort out its pay dispute for classified staff.

Durham Public Schools grapples with $9 million shortfall amid pay dispute

Classes resumed last week for Durham Public Schools as the district tries to sort out its pay dispute for classified staff.

Monica Casey, WRAL Durham reporter

Durham Public Schools to reopen to students Tuesday after Monday closure

In a message sent to parents and families in the school district, the reason for the closure stems from transportation staff absences. The district added the absences do not include bus drivers but mechanics and transportation staff, who are necessary to allow the buses to operate.

WRAL staff

Q&A: What is going on with Durham Public Schools?

Durham Public Schools (DPS) has been dealing with a slew of staffing issues after it was announced that some employees would have to take a pay cut after being overpaid for months. So what exactly happened? WRAL News is breaking it down.

WRAL staff

$4.5 million to Durham Public Schools staff after salary controversy

A budget amendment bridges a funding gap for classified DPS staff, providing $4.5 million to cover their paychecks through January.

Monica Casey and Carly Haynes, WRAL reporters

Durham Public Schools employees voice frustrations over pay

Frustrated Durham Public Schools workers met with district leadership for two hours on Thursday morning. Several DPS employees called out, protesting salary changes.

Concerned about pay, Durham school staffers pack meeting to demand answers

Staff, teachers and parents in the Durham Public Schools district packed a scheduled private meeting Thursday morning to demand answers about changes that have left families scrambling for transportation and employees concerned they will be paid less than they expect.

Monica Casey, WRAL Durham reporter

Durham bus driver shortage rolls into 3rd day; superintendent apologizes for salary issue

Nearly 50 school bus drivers did not show up for work Wednesday in Durham, forcing parents to arrange their own transportation. On Thursday evening, parents were informed that bus services would be impacted again on Friday.

Monica Casey, WRAL Durham reporter, and Willie Daniely, WRAL reporter

Harnett County hero bus driver featured on 'The Drew Barrymore Show' Thursday

A Harnett County bus driver who saved dozens of students from a burning bus appeared on "The Drew Barrymore Show" Thursday morning.

School bus driver's BAC was nearly 3 times legal limit, state troopers say

Troopers received a careless and reckless driving complaint involving a school bus on Catawba Burris Road in Lincoln County a little before 4:30 p.m. When they arrived, they arrested 54-year-old Nelson Gonzalez, of Sherrills Ford. Nelson was charged with driving while impaired, commercial vehicle DWI, careless and reckless driving, as well as misdemeanor child abuse.

WCNC

School bus driver charged with DWI in western NC

A school bus driver arrested Wednesday faces multiple charges, including DWI, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

Harnett County bus driver helps kids to safety during fire

Monica Tyson-Crawford was sitting in the driver's seat as the right driver at the right place and the right time to get 38 kids off the bus, and to safety.

Monica, take the wheel: Harnett bus driver praised for poise in helping students caught in fire

WRAL News talked to Monica Tyson-Crawford about just how close a call this was, and how she was able to keep her cool in the middle of an emergency.

Eric Miller, WRAL reporter

Raises coming soon for Wake County school employees

The school board approved higher salaries and wages for employees this year, including a 9% increase in starting pay for bus drivers. The raises come mostly from the new state budget.

Emily Walkenhorst, WRAL education reporter

Bus driver shortage to be eased by $1K bonus

The Wake County Public School System is facing a bus driver shortage, which is impacting students and families.

Aaron Thomas, WRAL reporter

Loophole allows would-be school bus drivers to get free training, leave for higher-paying jobs

Some people are taking advantage of a loophole to get a free CDL and then leaving for higher-paying jobs.

Sarah Krueger, WRAL investigative reporter

Wake schools will give $1k more in bus driver bonuses, discuss long-term busing solutions

About one-third of the county's school bus driver positions remain vacant, and more than 3,000 students are arriving at school late every day because of the shortage.

Emily Walkenhorst, WRAL education reporter

Desperate search for school bus drivers: WRAL Investigates why efforts to keep drivers fail

There is a desperate search for school bus drivers. WRAL Investigates why efforts to recruit, train and keep drivers fail. Plus, learn about the loophole that leaves taxpayers paying the bill for a driver's free education, even if they quit for higher-paying jobs.

Cooper announces funding for temporary school bus trainers

The goal is to train more drivers and reduce the amount of time any driver candidates might be waiting for training.

Facing driver shortage, Wake schools consider making walking to school easier

The policy would expand access to another form of transit to school -- feet -- amid a chronic bus driver shortage that is leaving thousands of students late to school.

Emily Walkenhorst, WRAL education reporter

Wake schools floats another bonus and quicker pay for bus drivers

The proposal is the latest effort by the school system to steady its bus driver workforce, as about one-third of all driver positions remain vacant.

Emily Walkenhorst, WRAL education reporter