Update from the Superintendent and Board Chair on Possible Bus Driver Strike

October 8th, 2025

The following is a joint message from HCPSS Superintendent Bill Barnes and Howard County Board of Education Chair Jolene Mosley, issued Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025:

Howard County has a long and rich history of prioritizing efforts that enrich and prepare our youth for the exciting world that awaits them. We are fortunate to have families, community members, school system staff, and contracted personnel who prioritize our schools and work hard on behalf of our children.

Last week, bus drivers and attendants who are employed by Zum Services and represented by Teamsters Local Union #570 voted against an agreement offered by their employer, Zum, and authorized a strike. We are grateful that there was not an immediate work stoppage following the vote and student transportation services have continued this week. We support the negotiation process between Zum Services and Teamsters Local Union #570 and hope for a resolution that avoids any disruption for our students, families and schools.

If a driver strike is planned and bus transportation is not provided in the future, families will be informed, and more information will be shared. Families who are served by a Zum bus are also encouraged to install and sign into the Zum mobile app. HCPSS will communicate as quickly as possible in the event of a work stoppage, but depending on when we receive notification, the app may be the fastest way for families to know the status of their bus.

We will continue our support and advocacy for the people and professionals that make a difference for our students. Bus drivers and attendants are certainly members of that community, and we value the work they do each day. It is our hope that Zum Services and Teamsters Local Union #570 will come to a swift resolution.

Thank you for everyone’s continued efforts on behalf of our students.