Coachella Valley Unified hears days of testimony on transportation: drivers defend service while community demands accountability after viral video

The Coachella Valley Unified School District on Oct. 23 heard extensive public testimony about the transportation department as community members, classified staff and union representatives pressed the board for accountability and clarity about overtime, staffing and the prospect of contracting out services.

The most immediate concern for many speakers was a viral social‑media video showing a district driver making derogatory comments about a special‑needs student. “This is not okay,” said Dr. Amari Nikoloff, a special‑education teacher and advocate, who told the board she had received the clip from a parent and urged that the driver be dismissed. “It puts the district at a certain amount of liability,” she said.

Why it matters: Transportation is central to daily operations in this largely rural district; delays and gaps can prevent students from attending school or participating in activities. The dispute has also widened into a debate over whether the district should keep the service in‑house or contract it to an outside provider, a move some trustees described as an option if the department cannot be stabilized.

Drivers and classified staff who testified said the picture painted by critics is incomplete. “We are not thieves,” said Sergio Duran, a 31‑year mechanic and former driver, rejecting accusations that staff were stealing fuel or gaming overtime. Multiple drivers, including Paul Medina and Patricia Reyes, described 12– to 16‑hour days, early start times and the reliance on overtime to make ends meet in a district where many positions were cut after the pandemic. “We work hard to survive,” said Fernando Garcia, who spoke as both a mechanic and former driver.

Union and labor representatives also addressed the board. Samuel Turley, labor relations representative for the California School Employees Association (CSEA), said many recent overtime hours were driven by expanded activities, field trips and the loss of 13 drivers during earlier layoffs. He criticized statements by a board member at a prior meeting as inaccurate and urged the district to negotiate solutions with unions, not demonize employees.

Board members acknowledged both the staff testimony and parents’ concerns. Several trustees said they want stronger attendance and timekeeping controls. Trustee Acuna urged district‑wide time clocks and said recent absenteeism (board‑reported figures showed hundreds of employees absent on some days) was a major driver of overtime costs. Trustee Gonzales said contracting out is an option but urged caution and insisted the district must first pursue accountability and management changes.

What the board did: There was no vote to change transportation operations or to award a contract. Trustees directed staff to pursue follow‑up steps (including the facilities/time‑clock conversations raised during public comment) and repeatedly urged closer collaboration with union leaders and department management.

What remains unresolved: Community leaders asked for a transparent accounting of overtime and a clear plan for accountability and staffing. Several drivers asked board members to visit dispatch and route operations before pressing forward with contracting. The social‑media incident prompted community calls for dismissal; the board did not announce a personnel outcome in open session beyond noting that a related personnel action had been considered during closed session (see separate report on closed‑session actions).

Voices quoted in this article appear in the meeting record and public comment: Dr. Amari Nikoloff (special‑education teacher/advocate), Paul Medina (bus driver), Patricia Reyes (bus driver), Sergio Duran (mechanic), Fernando Garcia (mechanic/former driver), Samuel Turley (CSEA labor representative).