Employee and union speakers press for clarity on transportation consultant and staffing after cuts; board endorses consent items with follow-up

At the meeting's public-comment period and later in board discussion, transportation employees and union representatives urged clearer communication and justification for hiring or training consultants while classified positions were reduced.

Susan Chavez, who said she has worked in district transportation for 25 years, described uncertainty in the department following staff cuts and questioned the district's decision to use and train a consultant. "I just don't see why we're spending all this money on a consultant," she said, and asked the board for transparency about the long-term plan for transportation staffing and costs.

Union speaker Naen later criticized the district for eliminating classified positions and questioned the optics of promoting and contracting with higher-paid employees while rank-and-file staff saw layoffs or frozen raises, urging the district to prioritize direct transportation services such as increasing guaranteed driver hours.

During the consent-calendar discussion, board members reviewed a one-time contract with Medic Ambulance for standby services at the Special Olympics event (estimated cost about $1,000) and a contract to install locking dumpsters at Golden West and Cambridge schools to prevent illegal dumping, with Republic Services holding keys for scheduled pickups. Board members asked staff to confirm whether the ambulance would be staffed with a paramedic and directed staff to return with that clarification.

The consent calendar, including the ambulance contract and the locking-dumpster procurement, was adopted by voice vote. Board members asked the superintendent and business office to improve communication with transportation employees about consultant roles and next steps.