District 15 approves emergency bus contract as driver shortage leaves 14 routes unfilled

District 15 trustees voted to authorize a three‑month emergency contract to add supplemental bus drivers after administrators reported multiple unfilled routes and persistent daily absenteeism among existing drivers. The board approved the contract to secure up to eight temporary drivers from North American Central at a daily rate of $4.50 per driver and to procure additional drivers, if needed, from First Student at $475 per day per driver.

Superintendent Lori Haynes said the district had hired 19 new drivers since June but 15 of those hires have since retired, resigned or been terminated, leaving the district short of the workforce it needs for a three‑tier bell schedule. Transportation manager Tom Bramley reported, “At the moment, I'm 14 routes, taking subs and filled routes still to cover for next week,” and described the situation as fluid. Board members were told the district currently has 89 active drivers and that staffing to fully cover runs would require roughly 11–16 additional drivers.

The emergency contract was framed as a short‑term measure: the motion approved a 90‑day contract window, with the possibility of renewing if necessary. The board’s roll call on the award recorded unanimous approval. The motion details were read into the record and approved by majority vote.

Why it matters: Haynes cautioned the shortage is likely to persist into the coming school year because of daily call‑out rates that approach 20 percent on some days and because of turnover. She also flagged pending state legislation, Senate Bill 1799, which if enacted or left to become law without the governor’s veto, would change limits on how long the district can use supplemental, non‑employee labor for noninstructional positions. Haynes said the bill is on the governor’s desk and noted the August 31 deadline for signature or veto; if the measure remains headed to law, it could restrict the district’s ability to use supplemental drivers for the entire school year beginning July 2026.

Supporting details: Board members and staff described operational responses. Bramley and other transportation staff described strategies for covering routes, including combining routes and asking veteran drivers to “double up” shifts when possible. Board discussion also covered substitute drivers, leasing drivers from outside providers, and the district’s practice of paying a competitive hourly wage and offering IMRF retirement and insurance benefits to retain drivers.

What the district directed next: Administrators said they would continue recruitment, proceed with the supplemental contract for the opening weeks of school, and monitor the state bill’s status. Haynes said the district would return to the board with updates and may request additional short‑term contingencies if the situation worsens.

Ending: The board’s emergency contract aims to limit disruptions as the year starts, but the administration warned the district will continue to face staffing risk if turnover and high call‑out rates persist and if state law changes curtail use of supplemental labor.