‘A really big step’: District 15 reaches agreement with transportation union

Palatine Township Elementary District 15 has reached a contract extension with the union representing its bus drivers and transportation aides.

Superintendent Dana Smith said the deal will give the district the ability to effectively recruit new drivers.

Finding drivers has been a challenge for District 15, which has led the hiring of contract drivers. Director of Transportation Judith Gritter told the school board the district would like to hire 10 to 15 more drivers.

“That has caused some of our routes to be longer than we would prefer it to be, especially with our special needs kids,” Gritter said. “We really don’t want them to be on the bus as long as they are.”

The contract includes salary increases in the 2027-28 and 2028-29 school years of between 1% and 4% for drivers and 1.25% and 4.25% for transportation aides.

The agreement also allows the district to continue using third-party transportation providers when necessary to ensure timely coverage of routes. That provision sunsets at the end of the contract.

The district has 95 drivers, including three who are part-time. It is also using up to 10 contract drivers.

Smith thanked both the negotiating teams on both sides at Wednesday’s school board meeting.

“They came together on a plan that really recognized our transportation staff’s skill, their commitment,” he said. “Now we’re in a better position to staff our program, staff our drivers and to fill our ranks. I think it’s a really big step.

“I am aware of how seriously those people take their jobs and how focused they are on greeting our kids with smiles every day and making sure that they have a great start,” Smith added.

szalusky@dailyherald.com