Rutherford County, TN - Here's an update on growth in the Rutherford County School system. As reported earlier, last week the Board finalized a new contract with its owner-operator school bus drivers, securing transportation for students as enrollment continues to surge across the district. However, here are some details that may help residents become better informed. 

Owner-Operator Contracts

For decades, Rutherford County Schools have relied on an owner-operator system to provide school bus service, with agreements typically lasting four years. Whereas Murfreesboro City Schools owns its own fleet and hires drivers.

Heading into the next term, some contractors requested a substantial 35% increase in rates—an amount school officials deemed unrealistic. After extensive negotiations, the School Board approved a revised deal, offering a 17% increase for the first year, followed by incremental 2.5% increases each of the following three-years. The agreement also includes a $4,000 stipend to help meet insurance requirements.

RCS had Contingency Plan

Superintendent Dr. Jimmy Sullivan acknowledged contingency plans had been considered. "We (RCS) were prepared to purchase approximately 12 buses to form a hybrid system where we would operate some buses in-house to fill-in any coverage gaps." 

However, with an overwhelming majority of owner-operators signing the contract last week (approximately 313 out of 330), officials determined additional vehicle purchases would not be necessary.

Population Explosion Continues

The school system continues to experience unprecedented growth. Data shows that more than 20,000 students have been added from the 2002-2003 school year to the present time. Enrollment now exceeds 52,000, making Rutherford County the fourth most populous in Tennessee, behind Shelby, Davidson, and Knox counties. To keep pace, the district has invested heavily in new school construction and renovations, but additional transportation resources remain a pressing need.

Bus Routes Changing with NEW School 

"Routes are changing this next year because of the opening of our new elementary school and from rezoning," said Rutherford County Schools Chief Communications Officer James Evans. "Our transportation department is working over the summer to finalize those new routes and then we will communicate the information to parents.

Rutherford County Schools is set to open Poplar Hill Elementary School in August for the start of the 2025-2026 academic year. It's located in the Blackman community on land previously owned by the John L. Batey family (Batey Farms). The new school will feature 35 classrooms and accommodate around 1,200 students.