Board to Vote on Bus Union Deal

The Board of Education is scheduled to vote Monday on an administrative recommendation to reject bids from all of the bus companies vying for a three-year transportation contract.

According to district documents, Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Service Gary Grizaffi is urging the board to approve a new pact with AFSCME Local 3057 to keep bus service in house.

Previously, the union offered concessions, including a salary freeze and slashing the wage for new drivers, but administrators said a proposal from Durham School Services would save the district $2.8 million more.

Since then, the union and the district have continued to negotiate.

“After six bargaining sessions with the AFSCME representatives, a final counteroffer was made that would seem to close the gap enough that it makes sense for the district to maintain the transportation services for the district in-house,” Grizaffi said in a memo to the board.

A spreadsheet outlining the union proposal versus Durham’s shows that the union deal would cost the district $184,000 more over three years — not a large enough difference to warrant making the switch.

“I believe this difference is not enough to justify outsourcing a service that has been a smooth running aspect of our operations,” Grizaffi said.

The district's transportation department currently employs about 250 people.

Cohesive math up for a vote

The board is also slated to vote on a proposal to adopt a by McGraw-Hill, at a cost of $952,000.

That price tag includes the cost of all materials and professional development.

The proposal would align the math curriculum among grades, ensuring for a smooth transition, and is compatible with the district’s efforts to increase academic rigor at the high school level, administrators said.

The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the district administration center, 755 Dalhart Ave. in Romeoville.