Bus Driver Incentive Programs

Spring 2026 Bus Driver Compensation & Attendance Incentive Program

Effective Date: January 6, 2026

Purpose: The Waller ISD Bus Driver Compensation & Attendance Incentive Program recognizes and rewards bus drivers who support student success by demonstrating consistent professionalism with reliable attendance.

Bus Driver Compensation

Bus Driver Compensation Overview: Effective January 6, 2026, Waller ISD will provide a $4-per-hour pay increase to bus drivers. The new starting rate for bus drivers is $24.39. This pay increase applies to bus drivers and supplemental bus drivers who are paid on the bus driver pay scale. Note: Drivers in Training and are not eligible for this increase until they have obtained the required licensing and have officially transitioned to bus driver status.

Bus Driver Compensation Implementation: The pay increase is effective January 6, 2026, and will be reflected on the February 13, 2026 paycheck in accordance with the 2025-2026 Absence Reporting Schedule & Pay Cycles.

Note: This pay increase is separate from the Bus Driver Attendance Incentive. Eligible employees will continue to accrue other benefits and leave in accordance with existing Board policies.

Bus Driver Attendance Incentive

Bus Driver Attendance Incentive Overview: Eligible employees may earn monetary incentives during each designated incentive period based on attendance. This incentive applies only to bus drivers whose primary job description is driving a bus (includes: 1-route driver (A.M. or P.M.), 2-route driver (A.M. and P.M.), and auxiliary drivers). Note: Other employees whose primary job title and job description are not bus driver are not eligible for any portion of this program. (e.g., drivers in training, transportation employees whose primary job is not driving, teachers, paraprofessionals, or other roles.)

Bus Driver Attendance Incentive Eligibility Criteria: To qualify for the bus driver attendance incentive, employees must:

Report to work every scheduled work day during the incentive period.
Complete their full scheduled shift each day.

Attendance Incentive Eligibility

Bus drivers assigned to both a morning (A.M.) and afternoon (P.M.) route, as well as auxiliary drivers may earn $300 per attendance incentive period if there are no absences during the period.
- One (1) half-day absence: $150
- One (1) full-day absence: $100

Bus drivers assigned to one route (either A.M. or P.M.) may earn $150 per attendance incentive period if there are no absences during the period.
- One (1) full-day absence: $50

For more information, please visit the FAQ link.

Bus Driver Referral Program - Call 936.931.0397 for details!

Eligibility: All Waller ISD employees are eligible.

The $250 incentive payment will be provided to any Waller ISD staff member who refers a candidate to be a full-time bus driver after the candidate successfully meets all program criteria.

Program Criteria:

Candidates must identify the referring employee’s name on the application.
Referred candidates must not already be in the recruiting process.
There is no limit to the number of candidates that eligible employees may refer for employment.
Referred candidates must successfully complete the employment application, interview process(es), and all other requirements of employment.
After being hired, the referred candidate must obtain necessary CDL and endorsements as outlined in the job description, or already have obtained them, and complete any required training.
Once the referred candidate has obtained all necessary licenses and endorsements and successfully completes 6 months of employment in a regular full-time position, the referring employee will be eligible for a $250 incentive payment.
Incentive payments will be paid in the next pay period following completion of the requirements.
Current employees who are referring former bus drivers that have resigned as of July 1st of each school year will be excluded from this incentive.
Summer Months do not count towards 6 months of full time employment.

Bus Driver Bonus Incentive - Drivers in Training ($500)

This incentive is designed to support and reward new drivers in training who join Waller ISD without a Class B CDL (with Passenger and School Bus endorsements). Drivers who successfully obtain their CDL and are recommended for full-time employment as school bus drivers will be eligible for the following bonuses:

Eligibility:

New to the district
Does not hold a Class B CDL with P & S endorsements upon entry
Successfully obtains Class B CDL with P & S endorsements through Waller ISD’s training program
Recommended as a full-time bus driver for Waller ISD

Payment:

payment 1: $125 - Awarded immediately after the first successful day of driving a school bus as a CDL-licensed driver for Waller ISD.
payment 2: $125 - Awarded after completing 90 scheduled workdays within the regular school year calendar (excludes any supplemental work outside of the 176-day work calendar).
payment 3: $250 - Awarded after completing 176 scheduled workdays within the regular school year calendar (excludes any supplemental work outside of the 176-day work calendar).

Terms and Conditions:

The incentive is contingent upon the driver maintaining their full-time employment status and adhering to district safety and performance standards.

Bus Driver Bonus Incentive - CDL Licensed ($1000)

This incentive is designed to reward new full-time bus drivers who already possess a valid Class B CDL with Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements at the time of employment with Waller ISD.