District 113A Bus Drivers, to Board: 'We're Asking You to Support Us'

District 113A bus drivers stood together Wednesday night, with a simple request for the Board of Education: don't subcontract their jobs. 

The board reviewed bids for outsourcing the district's bus services, with comparisons between current costs, and bids from companies First Student and Westway. Documents show contracting the services with First Student would save the district $310,501 over three years, while the district could see savings of $105,295 with Westway. 

Impassioned drivers filed to the microphone behind spokesperson Kathy Kirby, who addressed the board on their behalf. 

"We care what happens to the children in our district," Kirby said. "We are the first adult that our children see in their school experience, and the last adult they see on their way home from school. ... As drivers, we accept the responsibility of making sure they get to and from school safely."

District Business Manager Barb Germany presented the bids and their details, including information on personal/sick days, hourly pay and health insurance.

TOTAL COSTS

• Current D113A bus drivers: $1,066,836 
• First Student: $1,033,119 (Savings of 3 percent)
• Westway: $1,092,567 (No savings)

• Current: $1,171,248 
• First Student: $1,048,616 (Savings of 10 percent)
• Westway: $1,125,344 (Savings of 4 percent)
  

• Current: $1,218,496 
• First Student: $1,064,345 (Savings of 13 percent)
• Westway: $1,159,104 (Savings of 5 percent)