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Board ratifies USW transportation contract covering July 2025–June 2026 with improved pay and scheduling provisions
Summary
The board approved a transportation contract ratified by the United Steelworkers (USW) unit, with new language on extra work assignments, field trips, cancellation pay, increased bus washing stipend and a summer school minimum.
The Portage Township Schools Board approved July 28 a transportation contract that the district’s United Steelworkers (USW) unit ratified last week covering the term July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
District staff summarized key contract changes: new extra work assignment language that references seniority and overtime, new field trip language, new cancellation language, an increase in the bus washing stipend from $95 to $125, a one-hour stipend payment if a two-hour delay is called within 25 minutes of the driver’s scheduled start time, and a guaranteed three-hour minimum for summer school route work. Staff credited legal counsel and district administrators with helping finalize the agreement.
Board members thanked drivers and staff for their work and noted drivers can start early in the morning; the board also discussed driver recruitment and trainer availability. The board approved the contract by roll call after recognizing the unit’s ratification.
Why it matters: the agreement updates pay stipends and working condition language for school bus drivers and related transportation staff and will affect operations and payroll for the coming year.
