Big pay increase approved to lure substitute bus drivers, teachers in Fayette County

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – It’s said that money talks.  Fayette County Public Schools hopes it lures more substitute bus drivers, cafeteria workers and teachers to work for the district as it struggles with critical staffing shortages.

During a special meeting on Monday afternoon, the Fayette County Board of Education unanimously approved a pay increase for substitute bus drivers from $17.76 to $30 her hour; substitute bus monitors from $10-to-$15 per hour; substitute cafeteria workers from $12-to-$15 per hour, according to the district.

Substitute teachers aides, custodians, and secretaries also received a raise from the $12 per hour range to $15, according to the district.

The board also approved a pay raise for substitute after school program workers from $14.70 to $15 per hour, according to the district.

All substitute teachers, except retired teachers, will get a $25 per hour raise.  Retired teachers who sub will get a $15 per hour raise, according to the district.

Substitute bus drivers don’t receive the benefits, leave time, or set bus routes current drivers do, according to the district.

Current drivers and other current employees received a 2% raise recently.  Some will receive more incentives in a package approved Monday by the school board, such as a $1 per hour increase for hourly food service employees and transportation workers, according to the district.

The school district has been forced to cancel morning bus routes and delay afternoon routes due to the driver and monitor shortage.  Some drivers and monitors have been helping in cafeterias between the morning and afternoon routes.  Even some central office administrative employees have volunteered to get a food handler’s permit and work as substitutes, according to the school district.  Last week, the district listed 104 vacant food service positions.  When the child nutrition department is fully staffed, there are 450 employees, according to the district.