Superintendent Dr. Jeri Kay Hardy asked the Gasconade County R-2 Board of Education on Oct. 21 to consider raising the starting pay for bus mechanics, as they have continued to struggle to bring them into the district.

“One thing that Gary (Pohlmann, maintenance director) and I have talked about a lot is our bus mechanics,” she said. “We are not paying them enough to attract bus mechanics with diesel mechanic experience to the district. If we have to send these things out, it’s gonna cost us a lot more in the long run. One thing we want to start doing, with your permission, is to start looking at that salary schedule and adjust that so that we remain competitive — whether we are retaining bus mechanics or looking for new bus mechanics.”

Keith Glaser asked what mechanics are making now and what a competitive wage is.

“We are about $4 an hour behind?” Hardy said.

Pohlmann said the starting bus mechanic pay is around $24 an hour.

“Almost anywhere you go in that field, it’s $30 plus,” Pohlmann said. “For an idea, if we have to take a bus to Harmon’s in Sullivan or rush truck centers, that’s $150 to $175 an hour if we have anything over there that we can’t do here. So it’s a pretty big hit. The problem is, anymore, bus mechanics don’t just turn wrenches. Turning a wrench is the easy part now. You have to know technology and diagnostics through the computer. It’s a challenging position.”

Hardy said the district’s starting bus mechanic pay is $21.50.

Board President Glenn Ely said they understand the position isn’t exclusively pay.

“Sometimes you’re competing for other things, not just what’s in the field, but what it’s going to take to get someone here and impact that work that is here,” Ely said. “It is helpful from a foundational discussion. That provides an understanding, directionally, on how we can build. I think the discussion is probably overdue.”

Hardy said she would keep the board updated on what they find.

Addressing the board, Ely said they may have picked up on the cadence, that they are introducing topics, diving in, and a meeting or two later they vote.

“I think that cadence has been helpful for us and it is working well for the board,” Ely said.

Hardy said she would update the board when they have more.