Bus drivers urge board to attend negotiations and press for better pay as mediation nears

John Schindler, a Bemidji resident and school bus driver, told the board that bus drivers want visible board representation during negotiations and raised concerns about compensation, saying signage suggested pay progression over 30 years was only about 7% and warning that proposed reductions would be unaffordable for long‑time drivers.

"It would mean a lot to us if we had representation from the board," Schindler said, adding that many drivers are taxpayers and that seeing a board member at negotiations would feel like community accountability.

Angela Denny, a bus driver of about 15 years, told the board the combination of lost stipends and higher insurance premiums has the same effect as a large pay cut for transportation staff. "$19,000 as a base pay isn't enough," Denny said, describing how many drivers work two or three jobs to make ends meet and warning that contracting out routes would sever community ties between drivers and students.

In response, Jeremy Olson said the district has delegated non‑certified bargaining (including transportation) to administration "because of logistical reasons" and legal notification requirements when board members participate. He said administrators report back to the board and work within board targets, and that the district is using a "pattern settlement" consistent with teacher agreements.

Olson also noted the district has recently reduced expenses by about $2.7 million and said that limits what the district can offer while trying to balance agreements across multiple employee groups.

The board did not take formal action on staffing or wages at the meeting; Olson said mediation with bus drivers is scheduled in the coming week and that administration will continue bargaining and report results to the board.