ALLEGHENY COUNTY — A local lawmaker introduced a bill to help school employees make money in the summer.
State Rep. Linday Powell (D), who serves Allegheny County, said the bill would help bus drivers, janitors, lunch staff and other related positions.
She said those positions could apply for unemployment during the summer months.
“Our educational support professionals are the unsung heroes of schools and school districts across Pennsylvania and the entire nation. My bill would help remove significant obstacles to them providing for themselves and their families year-round,” Powell said. “They’re the backbone of our schools and it’s time we treat them like it.”
Numbers provided by the Pennsylvania School Bus Association estimated there were around 3,500 unfilled school bus drivers at the beginning of the 2023-24 school year. She hopes the bill will help reduce that number.
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A Pennsylvania School Boards Association survey also reported that 70% of superintendents reported a shortage of instructional aides, Powell said.
The bill has been referred to the House Labor and Industry Committee.
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