Board addresses bus driver shortage, raises pay

August 4, 2026

The Moore County Board of Education is preparing to raise pay for school bus drivers in an effort to recruit more drivers, reduce route shortages, and improve retention ahead of the new school year.

During the board’s Aug. 3 work session, the board outlined a proposal that would increase starting pay for bus drivers from $16.70 per hour to $20 per hour, while the top pay rate would rise from $20.71 to $24.15 per hour.

Moore County Schools Transportation Director Jason Nelson said the district has struggled with driver shortages and that employee surveys consistently pointed to pay as a primary concern.

“We’ve been short drivers for a while,” Nelson told the board.

He listed that the higher wages are intended to reduce route times, keep students from spending as much time on buses, and ease the workload on existing drivers, who “stepped up all year” to cover additional routes.

The estimated $300,000 cost would be covered through state transportation funds rather than local dollars. Board members reviewed transportation budgets over multiple years and believe the increase can be sustained.

Nelson said the district intentionally set the proposed starting wage above neighboring school systems in hopes of attracting commercial driver’s license holders from surrounding counties.

“We had to go a little above the market,” Nelson explained. “I’m going to have to get these people to drive in.”

Board members also discussed using the new pay rate as a recruiting tool. Nelson said the district plans to begin an aggressive hiring campaign immediately after the board gives final approval, including advertising the new $20-per-hour starting wage.

Additionally, it was reiterated that the state provides CDL training for new drivers, while Moore County Schools reimburses licensing costs after drivers complete the process.

Stock image via Canva.

Abegail Murphy | Assistant Editor
Written by Sandhills Sentinel assistant editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
Want Moore news that matters? Please click here to sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel e-newsletter.