The Swain County Board of Education on Nov. 1 approved a transportation pay plan intended to recruit and retain school bus drivers, setting a flat pay rate for certified staff who drive and a supplemental bonus structure for hourly and substitute drivers.

Administration described the immediate proposal as a two-part package: a flat rate of $22.50 per hour for certified employees (teachers) who drive buses and an attendance- and percentage-based monthly bonus for hourly and substitute drivers. The board approved the plan by motion and show of hands, with members agreeing the plan could be revised later if needed.

District staff said the arrangement aims to address concerns that salaried certified staff earn less when substituting as bus drivers because of overtime formulas that affect funding sources and pay calculations. Transportation staff warned that state and federal funding formulas and blended overtime rules complicate how overtime and costs are allocated across funding lines and that fully addressing pay parity could increase local annual costs by six figures.

Board members asked for flexibility on how excused absences count toward bonuses and urged a clear policy to avoid unintended penalties for staff who give advance notice. Administration said the absence policy would allow some approved absences not to count against bonus eligibility and that the board could amend the plan by digital approval or at a later meeting.

The board voted to approve the plan as presented and directed staff to move forward but left open a path to refine the policy and budget calculations. No roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript; approval was by show of hands.

The motion approved the plan "as is" with the option for later revisions presented to the board digitally and in December if necessary.