CHESAPEAKE --- A three-hour negotiating session between the Chesapeake School Board and the Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE) Local 275 has resulted in a tentative three-year agreement for 14 school bus drivers.

The local represents the drivers employed by the Chesapeake Union Exempted Village School Board who have been working without a contract since Oct. 4.

Issues included longevity pay and the right to grieve extra trips. Both issues were addressed in Thursday’s session, according to Karen Bailey, OAPSE field representative.

The next step is to take the proposal to the drivers for a vote, which is expected to occur on Tuesday afternoon.

“The union is pleased with the tentative agreement,” Bailey said. “I intend to recommend it to the membership.”

Earl Leonhardt, a federal mediator from Cincinnati, had been brought in to arbitrate between the two sides. Superintendent Scott Howard and school board consultant, Robert W. Cross, represented the school board. The union negotiating team was made up of Bailey, Joe Waugh, Mark Pemberton and Ron White, union president.

A call made to Superintendent Howard on Thursday afternoon was not returned by press time.