Upper St. Clair, bus drivers reach contract

The Upper St. Clair School District will not be worrying about a bus shortage this year after it reached a fiveyear agreement with its drivers and attendants, according to district officials.

The agreement between the district and the Upper St. Clair Education Support Professionals Association was ratified Aug. 16 and approved by the school board on Aug. 18. It is effective July 1 through June 30, 2026.

The USC Support Professionals

Association represents more than 40 drivers and attendants, according to the district.

“We are pleased to be able to reach a fair agreement that allows for uninterrupted service for our families while enhancing our ability to recruit and retain quality drivers,” John Rozzo, the district’s superintendent of schools, said in a release.

According to the district, the new contract includes “several items that are intended to help mitigate the effects of the bus driver shortage impacting many school districts throughout the region.” Among them, the starting hourly rate for bus drivers has been increased from $24.21 per hour to $27.17 with annual increases in line with local industry standards, the district said.

“In order to maintain the needed staffing levels, we must continue to offer a competitive wage that is fair to both our drivers and our taxpayers,” Mr. Rozzo said. “The changes made in this contract balance both interests.”

The district also added van drivers, which do not require a CDL license.