The Unit Five School Superintendent hopes the district's bus contractor has turned the corner for on time performance.
Mark Daniel says there was only one bus late Wednesday morning and the contractor, First Student, has now settled a labor agreement with bus drivers that offers a raise, a signing bonus, and guaranteed hours per shift.
Daniel said accountability is improving.
"We do have a GPS system now functioning in all of our buses. parents will be able to follow all of our buses. That's a huge plus, we think. We have a couple buses that are now being run by one of our sister districts next to us, Tri-Valley. We're pleased with that," said Daniel.
Daniel also said First Student has begun to figure out how to handle band practice at the junior high level, which had caused congestion.
Daniel said the district is still holding First Student accountable until the end of the month when it will make a decision whether Unit Five can depend upon First Student. This week,
Daniel said they have had three days of a struggle and one day with only one bus late.
"If that can continue to happen, I think we're on the right track. But, again, we have to have this proof over a long duration, not just for one day," said Daniel.
He said First Student has improved its communication to building principals twice a day.
