The Mokena School District 159 Board of Education approved an updated compensation package for the district’s bus drivers at their August meeting effective immediately.
“Our bus drivers are an essential part of our success here in Mokena School District 159. Their work in ensuring that our students travel to and from school each day safely is something that we are all proud of. As a district we are very excited to support them with this additional compensation and retention bonus structure,” shared Superintendent Robert Gurney.
The package includes a $2.05 per hour market adjustment, bringing the starting hourly rate for newly hired bus drivers to $25.50. In addition to the hourly rate adjustment, a $1,000 signing bonus will be provided to school bus drivers who come to the district fully licensed and certified as a school bus driver. For new drivers who are not licensed, the district will now offer a training program of 40 to 60 hours paid at $20 per hour as the new driver works towards receiving certification. These updates come alongside district provided medical and life insurance.
For the district’s current drivers, a retention incentive program will be put in place this upcoming school year. New and current bus drivers will receive a retention bonus each year ranging from $880 to $2,640 based on years of service to the district to be paid in two installments.
For more information about available bus driver positions in the district, please visit https://mokena159.schoolspring.com/ or contact the district’s Transportation Coordinator at (708) 342-4959 or Director of Human Resources at (708) 342-4912.