By Madhu Mayer

Thanks to a last-minute tentative agreement that was reached following negotiations, students in Plainfield, Romeoville, Bolingbrook, and Joliet will have transportation to school Tuesday morning.

Among the local districts that have an existing contract with First Student bus company whose drivers were threatening to strike include Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 and Joliet Public Schools District 86.

Both school districts alerted parents Monday to make alternative transportation options such as carpooling and giving rides to schools in anticipation of a looming strike that would only impact regular education buses and not special education riders.

While her son was off school Monday for a scheduled school improvement day, Mary Ramos of Romeoville was scrambling that day to find a ride for her 14-year-old.

“I am hoping my son’s friend’s mom can drive him to school or I will be late for work,” said Ramos, whose son attends District 202 that also serves students in Joliet, Plainfield and

Bolingbrook. “This is the last thing I need.”

Around 509 First Student bus drivers authorized a strike and walked off the job demanding better pay on Monday.

“When the school year started, there were fewer buses because they were short on personnel,” said Mike Fencl of Joliet. “Now, we could have a strike. This is really going to impact parents because not only do we have to work, but it takes a long time to get them to school because of traffic in the area.”

Madhu Mayer, TW Reporter – mm@thetimesweekly.com