Las Cruces school board approves 8% increase in bus serve contract

In a unanimous vote June 18, Las Cruces Public Schools Board of Education approved a contract with STS for school bus transportation with an 8% increase for bus services for the upcoming school year from prior year.

The contract was worth $5,708,417 in the 2023-2024 school year; it is now worth $6,621,589, said Deputy Superintendent Gabe Jacquez in the meeting.

The contract features increased salaries for drivers and covers what official said were increasing fuel rates and operating costs.

STS was expected to hold an in service workshop for its drivers July 10. Jacquez reported that while recruitment continued, at the time of the board meeting the company was short just one driver, a position for which a potential employee was seeking certification. STS also added positions for maintenance and an assistant manager.

In the coming school year there are 103 routes planned. The buses on those routes will feature heating and air conditioning, especially among the buses recently added to the fleet.

Jacquez said the district's first electric bus will be in Las Cruces end of June 2024, while charging stations are "up." He reported seven electronic charging stations for fleet/personal vehicles were now in service.

Jacquez said parents can also watch their child's bus route via a new app, Go Beacon, which allows GPS location services, or real time bus tracking, which is expected to roll out in September.

"Parents make sure that their contact information is updated so we have the correct information as we build this communication system whether its texting or mass emails," Jacquez said.

Las Cruces School District urged to bring bus services under district control

At the June 18 meeting, several people speaking during public comment, urged members of the School Board to continue to consider acquiring the bus company, a move which would make the drivers and personnel district employees.

"I'm here to let you know that ATFNM (American Federation of Teachers New Mexico) supports … are all behind these bus drivers and bus attendants in their movement and in their request to be employees of the district," said Grace Jimenez ATFNM organizer.

Jimenez pointed to ongoing concerns about low pay, inconsistences in policy, favoritism and grievance resolution and lack of safety at STS. She said access and affordability of medical care is also an issue for drivers.

"It is unacceptable and we need to change that. The only way that is going to change is for them to become … district employees."

William Edgar, a bus driver, said the issues Jimenez mentioned have a resolution.

"Most of that problem would be gone if we were part of the school district because they could handle it better than STS can," Edgar said.

CSEC Las Cruces representative Irma Espino supported the bus driver's attempt at

"A private sector company, their prime goal is to make money, to make a profit. That is what a company does when it is being contracted out by a school district.

"It is not in the best interest of student, district or community."

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Las Cruces school board approves 8% increase in bus serve contract