GOLDEN, Colo. — Jeffco Schools doesn't have enough bus drivers or support staff, according to the Jeffco Education Support Professional Association or JESPA which represents those workers.
JESPA said the district has left them severely understaffed, putting safety at risk. Now, they've filed a complaint with the state in hopes of seeing these concerns addressed.
"They say that they want to fix issues but actions speak louder than words," said Zander Kaschub, president of JESPA and food service worker at Jeffco Schools.
Kaschub said the district is deeply understaffed.
"We’re losing people all the time because they can’t keep up with workload. And that’s not because they can’t do the job, it’s because they’re doing the job of two, three, four people at a time," Kaschub said. "The north bus terminal is down about 50% bus drivers."
He said that's burning out the workers they do have and putting driver and student safety at risk.
"It's a safety issue. Recently, we've had a situation on a bus where a bus driver was assaulted," Kaschub said.
When it comes to hiring, Kaschub said Jeffco Schools is violating equal pay laws.
"We see that the district is posting wages incorrectly, not following the law when it comes to posting wage ranges. They're also advertising for substitute positions while there's full-time positions open," he said.
Now, JESPA has filed a complaint against the school district with the Colorado Division of Labor Standards and Statistics, saying the district is breaking the law.
"Absolutely," Kaschub said. "Equal pay for equal work, not posting wages correctly, not posting ranges of wages, that's a direct violation of the law."
Still, he said, it's not a step the union is taking lightly.
"We need to hold the district accountable. We need to hold people who are making decisions accountable," Kaschub said.
He said the association is hopeful the complaint brings about better staffing and positive change for the district – for the staff and for the students they serve.
"It's heartbreaking because again, we want to help kids," Kaschub said. "We're here to help kids. And if we aren't supported, if we aren't paid enough to do the work then we burn out."
The division of labor confirmed they received a complaint against Jeffco Schools and said it's a pending investigation.
9NEWS reached out to Jeffco Schools about this complaint and the issues the union has raised. We're waiting for their response.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Education stories from 9NEWS