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Polk board reviews tentative AFSCME deal for bus drivers, including 2% raises and new van‑driver schedule
Summary
District staff presented a tentative collective‑bargaining agreement with AFSCME Local 2227 that would raise bus drivers and attendants by 2%, add a new van‑driver classification, guarantee a seven‑hour workday and offer a 15‑day paid parental‑leave option; the union ratified the agreement locally (156‑7).
Superintendent Fred Hyde introduced a tentative agreement with AFSCME Local 2227 that district staff asked the board to accept as presented to the school board for ratification and implementation.
Chief of labor and bargaining Warren, who led negotiations, said the ratification ballot among members returned 156 yes votes and seven no votes. He described the main terms: a 2% across‑the‑board pay increase for bus drivers and attendants; creation of a van‑driver classification intended as a stepping position (entry pay $17.10 per hour to $17.79 for more experienced drivers); a guaranteed seven‑hour workday for drivers with midday duties assigned where routes do not fill the full day; and an optional 15‑day paid parental‑leave benefit for eligible members.
Warren said the contract also shifts timekeeping from paper “goldenrod” forms to an electronic Polk County Public Schools device and levels many routes internally so managers can assign midday duties where necessary. He told the board the change to a guaranteed day “allows us to help some of the drivers that were deficient on the hours” and that managers will monitor consistent overages to adjust assignments.
Board members raised accountability and implementation questions. Board member Miller asked who will verify midday duties and how district staff would ensure employees receive credit; Warren replied that drivers will use the district devices to check in at midday assignments and managers on the transportation side will track regional overages. Dr. Allen asked how many drivers would typically exceed seven hours; Warren said that depends on geography and route length, and noted the district can track by region and adjust midday assignments to avoid overtime escalation.
No formal final vote on district adoption appears in the work session transcript. Board discussion was broadly supportive of the bargaining outcome and of efforts to modernize timekeeping and recruitment efforts. The board requested further detail on implementation steps and accountability for midday assignments and said staff would bring follow‑up information to the board as the contract moves through the district’s approval process.
What’s next: Warren and district staff will finalize operational details with the union and provide the board with implementation and tracking information before or at a future board meeting.
