Geneva schools hold the line on bus driver pay

The Geneva school board approved a two-year "working agreement" with its 65 bus drivers this week.

It calls for maintaining the same pay rates as the previous agreement - $29.70 an hour to start, up to $33.44 an hour for a driver with 26 or more years experience.

The bus drivers do not belong to a union, but have representatives on the district's Working Conditions Committee, which writes the agreement. The drivers do not get to vote on the agreement.

"This year was kind of unusual due to the economic downturn. There really was no money available (for raises)," said Sue Marks, one of five drivers on the committee.

Marks said at least 50 percent of the drivers live in Geneva and pay school taxes. The drivers also realize the district is studying other options, including hiring an outside firm to handle busing.

"We all understand we make a good dollar rate ... we just thought it would be the right thing to do," she said of not pushing for a raise.

The bus drivers are considered part-time employees, working up to 30 hours a week, and so do not receive health insurance benefits. Those who log more than 600 hours in a year are eligible for Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund contributions. Some work as few as eight hours a week.

Several minor changes were made in matters such as how field trips are assigned, and what kind of shoes drivers must wear, said Donna Oberg, the district's assistant superintendent for business services.