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Board pulls school bus driver Rudy Jones’ termination after large public outcry
Summary
Dozens of bus drivers, a union representative and community members urged the Franklin Pierce School Board to spare school bus driver Rudy Jones; the board removed his termination from the personnel section of the consent agenda for further review and approved the rest of the consent agenda unanimously.
Dozens of current and former transportation staff and a union representative pressed the Franklin Pierce School Board on Tuesday to delay a personnel termination involving school bus driver Rudy Jones.
“That depiction is not only inaccurate, it is deeply unfair,” Tara Amant, who identified herself as the union agent representing the district’s bus drivers, told the board, urging directors not to terminate Jones and describing him as “a loyal, compassionate, and committed employee.”
Multiple drivers and transportation staff gave specific examples of Jones’ long service and commitment: perfect or near-perfect attendance, Spanish-language outreach to families, one-on-one care for difficult-to-transport students, and repeated offers to help colleagues. “He is kind. He is caring,” Helen Chindell Butler said. “I would trust my grandchildren on his bus.”
Jones spoke directly to the board, saying he has driven for the district since 2014, that he values his job and that “the only thing that I’m guilty of is protecting the children on my bus the best way I know how.” He asked directors to review the evidence before acting.
After hearing public comment, Chair Sablan said she did not feel comfortable deciding on the termination that evening and recommended removing Jones’ termination from the personnel actions list so the board could consider it further. The board then voted to approve the consent agenda with that edit; the motion passed unanimously.
The board placed the personnel matter in unfinished business for further consideration and announced an executive session under RCW 42.30.110 to discuss personnel performance. The board did not make any final public decision about Jones’ employment at the meeting.
Why it matters: The board’s removal of a termination from the consent agenda halted an immediate personnel action after strong, coordinated testimony from employees and community members. The matter will proceed through the board’s closed-session personnel process before any public action is announced.
