Bus drivers threaten strike in District 204

Bus drivers in Indian Prairie Unit District 204 students are threatening to strike.

The school district is asking families to start planning alternate modes of transportation in case a strike occurs.

Drivers recently rejected a proposed contract with First Student, the company that operates about 250 buses for District 204. The district is not involved in the negotiations.

First Student has notified Indian Prairie officials a strike could happen at any time, according to a districtwide e-mail to parents.

Superintendent Kathy Birkett said in the e-mail that all schools will remain open in the event of a strike so families should consider carpooling and other means of getting to and from school.

Indian Prairie would provide supervision for an extra 45 minutes before and after school to help accommodate parents' schedules.

The district includes portions of Aurora, Naperville, Bolingbrook and Plainfield.

In the event of a strike, parents will immediately be notified through a Connect ED phone call. The district will also provide updates through e-mail as well as its Web site, www.ipsd.org.