CCSD21 extends pupil transportation services agreement with First Student

The Community Consolidated School District 21 (CCSD21) Board of Education on Thursday, Dec. 14, formally approved an extension of the pupil transportation services agreement with First Student for the 2024-2025 school year.

The renewal for the 2024-2025 school year calls for a 7.5% increase over the 2023-2024 contract, which will primarily be allocated toward the starting salary increases for newer drivers based upon current market rates. Further, First Student is completing an addition to its facility for administration of services and training of drivers, which will benefit CCSD21 from its use.

The rates in the new agreement remain well below the increases for First Student clients throughout the area, as well as clients of other transportation providers in neighboring school districts.

“This is a very competitive rate based upon a good partnership between the district and First Student,” said Micheal DeBartolo, assistant superintendent for finance and operations. “We feel as though this has been a really good year with First Student and the modest, but responsive rate increase will be used in the right areas.”

DeBartolo said that in addition to the bulk of the new dollars being used for driver salaries and the First Student facility, the bus company is also beginning to update its fleet with these dollars - it will add 12 new buses with the additional money from the contract extension.