School bus drivers asked the St. Tammany Parish School Board on Thursday for help in getting an operational pay increase from the state Legislature.

Tim Miller, spokesman for the bus drivers, told the board they haven't had an increase in operational pay since the late 1980s.

Operational pay, included in their paychecks, is what drivers use for operating expenses - gasoline, oil and oil changes, general wear and tear and tires, among other things.

Tim Miller, spokesman for St. Tammany Parish school bus drivers, wears a shirt that says "Will work for fuel" at the St. Tammany Parish School Board meeting. (Staff Photo by Debbie Glover)

In 1990, the average cost of diesel fuel was $1.35 per gallon. Today, the average cost of diesel fuel is $3.79 in the Gulf Coast region, up $1.15 from only a year ago when a per gallon rate was $2.64, according to consumer price indexes.

The actual amount allocated to the bus drivers is not clear; but what is clear is the fuel allowance for bus drivers has not kept pace with the 43 percent rising cost from last year.

In addition, Miller said other costs have risen as well, for instance a tire in the late 1980s was $99 compared to $250 now.

Many bus drivers are reportedly working two jobs to make ends meet, including Miller, who is also a minister at Grace Church on Harrison Avenue.

St. Tammany School Board member Donald Villere said this has come up before, and what the board needs is an accounting of what is in an actual paycheck to determine exactly what the School Board would be asking from the Legislature.

"We have the best School Board, the best school system, so why should transportation be less than the best?" Miller asked. "Please consider helping us with our problem."

The group joined with other bus drivers from neighboring parishes of Tangipahoa, Washington and Jefferson to lobby for an increase at the state Capitol, but Miller said they feel the School Board can do more to convince legislators than "just a group of bus drivers."