CCISD says a critical shortage of bus drivers is forcing the district to consider earlier school start times at several campuses. Parents are being asked to weigh in
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Parents in the Corpus Christi Independent School District have until Friday to weigh in on possible changes to school start and end times as the district struggles with what it calls a “critical shortage” of bus drivers.
The district sent a survey to families this week studying whether adjusted school hours could help reduce the amount of time students spend on buses and help manage transportation staffing shortages.
According to CCISD, the district currently employs 65 bus drivers but has 63 vacant driver positions.
The proposed changes would affect three elementary magnet campuses, ECDC, Metro E and Windsor Park along with eight middle schools, with the exception of Metro Prep.
Currently, elementary schools begin at 7:50 a.m. and end at 3:10 p.m. Under the proposal, those campuses would move to a 7:30 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. schedule, a 20-minute shift.
Middle school schedules would also move earlier, changing to 8:20 a.m. through 3:40 p.m.
Some parents said they are concerned about students starting school even earlier.
“Honestly, it’s like too early for them” Windsor Park parent Arezoo Zarghouni said. “Especially for elementary school. I think it’s not a good idea.”
When asked if they would want to wake up earlier for school, her children quickly answered: “No!”
In a statement, CCISD said it is studying the possibility of adjusted bell schedules as a strategy to address the ongoing shortage of drivers.
“As districts across the country work to address a persistent shortage of bus drivers, some areas, including San Antonio ISD, United ISD and Killeen ISD, have adjusted bell schedules to help accommodate the district’s transportation needs,” the district said in part.
CCISD also stated it is studying bell schedule adjustments as a strategy to address the ongoing, critical shortage of drivers.
The district was not available for an on-camera interview before news time, but Nancy Vera with the American Federation of Teachers said the shortage is not surprising.
“They talk about the cost of bus drivers… but they don’t pay bus drivers any money,” Vera said. “That’s why they don’t have any.”
Alice Upshaw Hawkins said CCISD has struggled to compete with surrounding districts that can offer higher wages.
“Portland… that’s our biggest competitor when it comes to bus drivers,” Hawkins said.
According to district information, CCISD bus drivers earn between $18.32 and $25.18 an hour depending on experience.
By comparison, a recent posting for Gregory-Portland Independent School District listed starting bus driver pay at $29.50 an hour with paid training and benefits included.
“We’ve got to have some kind of solution,” Hawkins said.
Hawkins said the district is trying to maintain transportation services while handling additional routes created by recent school consolidations.
In its statement, CCISD said that while consolidations added bus routes, the district likely would have been studying schedule adjustments regardless.
Vera also questioned how earlier start times could affect students academically.
“When children come in tired or when the bus is late… then that impacts the learning of our children,” Vera said.
The district said no final decision has been made.
Parents have until Friday at 4:30 p.m. to complete the survey.