WACO, Texas — Editor's Note: The attached video aired on March 18.
Starting next month, two major changes will take effect for Waco ISD.
Effective July 1, the district will take control of its transportation department, which they have contracted the service out to various transit services since 1988.
Goldstar Transit has been in charge of bus services for the district since 2015.
“We cannot educate students if they are not at school,” Waco ISD Superintendent Dr. Susan Kincannon said. “The district is focused on improving systems and processes within the transportation department including compensation and benefits for bus drivers and other positions such as mechanics.”
Dr. Ricky Edison, former University High School principal, will lead the transportation department.
“We are building a great team, and we want to provide the safest and most efficient transportation system that we possibly can in Waco ISD,” Edison said. “Our students deserve nothing but the best in all areas of education.”
Edison will be assisted by Monique Brock, who will serve as the district's assistant director of transportation.
In addition to the transportation news, Waco ISD also announced that they will be increasing bus driver hourly pay from Goldstar's rate of $21.36 per hour to $27 per hour. The rate increase is the highest hourly rate in the Central Texas region.
The buses are also being outfitted with new cameras and a GPS system that will allow parents to track their children's buses but will not be available immediately. Waco ISD says the feature will be available in the future.
The district also has over a dozen bus driver vacancies that they are looking to fill before the start of the 2024-2025 school year, which begins on Aug. 14. Those interested in applying can find more information on the Waco ISD website here.
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