Richmond School Board Auditor Reports $1.8 Million Overtime Pay Issue for Bus Drivers

The Richmond School Board is facing scrutiny over its handling of bus driver overtime pay, with an auditor projecting that the school division could be spending $1.8 million a year on overtime. The board recently approved a motion to address one of the auditor’s recommendations, which involves ensuring bus drivers clock in and out for their shifts.

However, the board did not implement other recommendations, including paying employees for actual time worked. This practice has led to some bus drivers receiving over $30,000 in overtime pay per year on top of their regular salaries. The board is hesitant to make a decision that could cause financial hardship for bus drivers, especially while their union is negotiating contracts.

The auditor’s report also revealed that more than 700 emails to the school district’s fraud, waste, and abuse hotline went unopened for 10 years. This lack of oversight could put school funds at risk and lead to violations of state and federal wage laws.

Despite the auditor’s findings, some school board members have clashed with him in recent months, with accusations of unprofessional behavior and hostile communication. The board is now tasked with deciding whether to maintain the current practice of paying for two hours of overtime for each bus route, regardless of the actual time worked.

Superintendent Jason Kamras emphasized the need for the board to make a policy decision on this matter, as it could significantly impact bus drivers’ pay. The board is expected to revisit the issue at its next meeting in August, after gathering more information on the potential impact of the auditor’s proposed recommendations.

In addition to the bus driver overtime issue, the auditor also uncovered a backlog of unopened whistleblower emails dating back to 2014. The board has since taken steps to address this issue and ensure that all reports of fraud, waste, and abuse are properly investigated and addressed.