CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The first day of school for the Corpus Christi School District is just weeks away, but the district still has dozens of open bus driver positions.
CCISD started losing bus drivers about five years ago after many left for better paying jobs as transportation drivers for oil fields. The shortage forced the district's director of transportation and other staff to pick up routes. Unfortunately, that will continue when the new school year starts. But CCISD officials are hopeful they will fill the gap soon. CCISD is offering a $1,000 sign-on bonus.
"It frees up myself, my office staff, my operations specialist, and it allows us to get back to our day-to day-jobs doing that work," said Kyle Pelichet, CCISD Director of Transportation.
Districts like CCISD are also competing against other districts that pay better. Calallen bus drivers start out making $18 an hour and drivers get paid year-round.
Flour Bluff ISD is also looking to hire 10 bus drivers. That district pays $15 an hour.
