Tuesday night, several employees of Sampson County Schools voiced opposition to the Board of Education’s previously approved Policy 7400, which requires certain staff members to obtain and maintain a bus driver’s license as part of their job descriptions.
The discussion took place during the board’s regular meeting, where a number of staff impacted by the policy spoke during the public comment period, expressing concerns and frustrations over the mandate. While the policy was not discussed or voted on during the meeting, those who addressed the board asked for grace and flexibility in its enforcement.
Policy 7400, titled “Job Description,” has become a contentious topic at recent board meetings. The policy states that “job descriptions for teacher assistants, cafeteria workers and custodial staff members will include a requirement that a license to drive a bus be obtained and maintained, and that the employee drive a bus as needed and requested by the principal.”
Although the policy was initially approved in 2024, questions surrounding its enforcement have remained a point of discussion among board members. The issue has gained urgency as multiple schools throughout the district have experienced transportation delays in recent months, resulting in students arriving late to school or returning home later than scheduled.
Under the policy, affected employees could face termination if they fail to obtain the required bus driver’s license.
In March, the board approved several revisions designed to improve the policy’s structure and implementation. Among those changes, lead custodians and assistant principals were exempted from the requirement to help maintain school operations. The board also approved a provision allowing employees a 90-day grace period after completing bus driver training to pass the required licensing test before termination proceedings could begin.
Last month, the board added a “grandfathering” provision that exempts certain long-serving employees from the requirement. Board members debated whether the exemption should apply to employees with 10, 15 or 20 years of service. In a split vote, the board ultimately approved exempting employees who have worked for the school system for at least 20 years. Those employees would not be required to obtain a bus driver’s license and would not face termination under the policy.
Several of the employees who spoke Tuesday night said they were directly impacted by the requirement.
“I’ve been with Sampson County Schools for 16 years, and in those 16 years, I’ve never been directly approached about driving a bus,” said Plain View Elementary School custodian Nicholas Craddock. “The policy states that within a year of your hiring date, you have to obtain a bus license. This is now my 16th year, and I have not had to obtain a license up to this point. Y’all hired me to be a custodian, and I do that job well. If you would have come to me about this when I was younger, I would have had no problem getting a license.”
Craddock was not the only employee to raise concern. Others talked about medical conditions that could impact their ability to drive a school bus.
“When I came into this, I was 35, young and vibrant,” said Union Elementary School employee Tachona Nelson. “When I worked in Johnston County Schools, I had my bus license. I drove a bus for years. Since then, I have experienced health issues that have taken me away from driving a bus. So I ask you to think about what you are doing and focus on helping those who have put years into this system and don’t want to lose their jobs.”
Several speakers who were not directly affected by the policy also addressed the board in support of their colleagues. They urged board members to reconsider portions of the policy and extend additional grace to employees who may struggle to meet the requirement.
“I understand the importance of transportation, and I understand the need for bus drivers, but tonight I ask you to look beyond policy and look at people,” said Isabella Giorgianni, a teacher at Plain View Elementary School. “As a result of the decision to require non-teaching staff to obtain a bus license to remain employed, our school is preparing to lose three deeply valued members of our school family. I ask that the board consider grandfathering these employees in.”
Sarah Brown, a coach at Midway High School implored the board to rethink the policy.
“We should do unto others as we would have done unto us,” Brown stressed. “It is imperative that we keep those who are in our buildings, keeping our children safe and making our facilities what they need to be. We should never expect someone who does not feel comfortable operating a very large vehicle carrying more than 50 children to do so. That creates potential harm and danger for our students.”
Following the public comment period, board members did not respond to the speakers’ remarks. The policy was not included on the agenda for discussion during the meeting.
Attempts to reach school board members after the meeting were also unsuccessful.
Board members were contacted for comment but did not respond by press time.