Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Rutherford County Schools board approves extended bus contracts, delays decision on "power hours" drawing after parents describe hardships
Summary
After parents described lost work hours and added expenses following the district—s removal of some bus routes, the Rutherford County Schools Board approved extended bus contracts for the 2025-26 school year but postponed a decision on whether to hold one or two contractor drawings for "power hours."
The Rutherford County Schools Board of Education voted to approve extended bus contracts for the 2025-26 school year but postponed a decision on whether the district will conduct one or two contractor drawings for so-called "power hours," after several parents described transportation-related job and financial hardships at the board's Sept. 11 meeting.
Parents who spoke during public comment said the district—s recent removal of certain bus services has forced families to find alternate — and costly — arrangements. "I'm paying $75 a week for them to pick him up in my house and drive him to school," said Tammy Mendoza, a parent, adding that she has lost work hours and faced increased stress. "There are a lot of parents struggling. Some of them [are] close to losing their jobs because they're leaving work." Mokisha Robinson, another parent, said her child has missed five days of school since the changes and that the household has taken a financial hit after she started a new job.
The public comments prompted a lengthy discussion among board members and staff about the district's drawing process for awarding short-term "power hour" routes to contractors. Board members described two competing goals: spreading paid opportunities among more contractors by holding multiple drawings, and providing year-long route consistency to minimize disruption for families who have adapted to particular routes and times.
Director-level staff described how the district—s prior practice of drawing twice a year had produced both complaints and support among contractors. Board members said switching to a single draw — as some contractors were told would happen this year — could reduce midyear changes in pickup times but might limit earnings opportunities for other contractors.
Rather than make an immediate decision on the drawing frequency, the board agreed to postpone that specific choice to the next meeting to allow further review of documentation and more stakeholder input. Board members did, however, approve the extended-session bus contract itself, which district staff said covers compensation of $245 per day for contractors providing power-hour services. The board recorded a voice vote: "All in favor say aye ... Any opposed? Motion passes."
Board members and staff said the next drawing is scheduled around mid-December, giving time to collect contractor feedback and to finalize whether the district will run one or two drawings for the remainder of the school year.
The board also heard related transportation concerns during the meeting: several members reported increased complaints about cars passing school buses at stops and urged community enforcement, and staff said they will coordinate with law enforcement on hot-spot stops.
The board's decision separates the contract approval (approved) from the operational decision on how to award individual routes (postponed), signaling the board wants more time to weigh fairness to contractors against routine stability for families.
Looking ahead, the board will revisit the drawing frequency and procedures at its next meeting and will publish any procedural changes before the December drawing window so contractors and families have advance notice.
