Another Big Bus Hike Likely In Elmhurst Schools

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst School District 205 officials are recommending a 12 percent bus contract increase for the next school year.

That is on top of the 17 percent hike approved last year.

According to a district memo, the recommended increase with First Student is the result of driver wages, minimum hourly guarantees, gas prices, fixed costs and increases in insurance. The district said First Student asked for the 12 percent increase.

In the memo, Superintendent Keisha Campbell pointed to national bus driver shortages, which are causing wages to rise.

She said it was her understanding that many districts have a percentage of routes that do not have drivers and have consistently late buses.

Similar reasons were given for last year's hike.

The proposed increase amounts to $432,000, for a total of about $4 million, the memo said.

Cincinnati-based First Student has provided bus service in Elmhurst for years, as it does for districts across the country.

Campbell is also recommending a 12 increase for Villa Park's Cottage Hill Operating Co., which provides special education bus services.

The school board is expected to decide on the increases next month.

Under state law, the district was allowed to renew its contracts with the bus companies for another year, unless another contractor asked for the district to go out to bid. No other company did so.