District announces tentative three-year agreement with bus drivers

John Holt, who provided the transportation update, told the board the district has reached a tentative agreement with the bus drivers after months of negotiations that began in January. "We've reached a tentative agreement with the bus drivers," Holt said, summarizing negotiations that included drivers' representatives, district administrators and a labor attorney.

Holt said the three-year settlement is intended to attract and retain drivers and to pull some contracted runs back under district control. He described clarified definitions for temporary runs (for example, trips for students with temporary medical needs or homelessness) and steps to prioritize full daily runs for district drivers before other assignments. "It's a 3 year settlement. 1st year's $2.75 increase over what they were. The next 2 were 3 3," Holt said, noting the association ratified the proposal. He also said the district increased meal allowances to reduce paperwork and better incentivize drivers.

Holt said the agreement is tentative and that the board will receive the full written contract for review, with the intent to place it on the August meeting agenda. He said the contract would be retroactive to July 1. The board did not vote on the agreement at this meeting; Holt framed the report as an informational update and next steps toward formal approval.

The district described negotiations as collaborative and involving driver representatives including union leadership and district labor counsel. Questions from board members focused on timing for placing the written contract on the agenda and next steps for implementation.