RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Rutherford County Bus Contractors Organization said they will be “compelled to cease” transportation services by next week if the Rutherford County school board does not return to the negotiating table.
The RCBCO has been working to negotiate a nearly 35% raise for weeks, citing rising costs on fuel, bus repairs and other expenses. During a Rutherford County Board of Education meeting Thursday night, school board members proposed a 17% raise. A press release from the RCBCO called the compensation package “a poverty wage” that contractors “cannot accept.”
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“As a direct result of the BOE’s unreasonable decisions, the RCBCO is compelled to cease providing school bus transportation services in Rutherford County effective May 1, 2025,” the press release reads, in part. “The RCBCO understands this cessation of operations will unfortunately impact students, parents, and teachers, and, in recognition of that fact, provided sufficient notice to the BOE in hopes that it will return to the negotiating table rather than forcing a ‘take it or leave it’ approach to the RCBCO, as the BOE has done on every previous occasion.”
The RCBCO represents more than 120 contractors, which is about 70% of the county’s contracted bus drivers, who collectively operate more than 200 school buses. At Thursday night’s meeting, the BOE had delayed the vote on the contract until their next meeting on May 15.
Rutherford County considers cutting school bus service for some families living close to campuses
At Thursday night’s meeting, the BOE also approved a “Parent Responsibility Zone” where bus routes would not operate and students would need to walk or find another ride to school. Homes within a one-mile radius of elementary schools and a 1.5-mile radius for middle schools will no longer get bus service. The PRZ will save the district about $3 million by eliminating the need for 15 buses…