UPDATE: Niles School Board unanimously approves bus privatization

by Sarah Rice (srice@wsbt.com)

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Plan to privatize bus transportation in Niles next year

The Niles School Board is expected to vote Monday night on a plan to privatize bus transportation next year. Current bus drivers and some parents are against the plan. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

NILES — Nearly 30 bus drivers in Niles could soon be without a job.

The Niles School Board is facing a major budget shortfall next school year. To save money, the district voted to privatize bus service — something it's considered for more than a year.

The school board unanimously passed the proposal at their meeting at Ballard Elementary School Monday night.

A lot of people were expected to show up, including all 28 bus drivers and several concerned parents.

The board says privatizing will help save the district a significant amount money. But drivers say it shouldn't be about dollars and cents.

After driving the same bus route for 18 years, Leona Wonacott has become a familiar face.

"You go to festivals, you go grocery shopping, and there's Johnny: ‘Hi Leona!’” she said.

But Leona is one of 28 familiar faces that could soon be replaced with new faces.

"And I just think it's sad that some of us may not have jobs anymore,” said bus driver Pat Wozniak.

The Niles School Board voted to privatize their bus service through a company called First Students.

Superintendent Doug Law says this is one of many ways to help make up the district's $1 million shortfall for next school year.

“Companies like First Students can now come in and present us with a bid that offers exactly the same service,” he told WSBT News. “We’re not cutting routes. We’re doing exactly same number of buses and everything. The difference becomes in that fringe benefits package.”

The bus drivers' union fought the privatization by offering a concessions package that would save the district $150,000 each year for the next three years.

But the school board tossed out that idea.

“The drivers cannot compete very effectively with a promise of over a $2 million savings over a five-year period,” Law explained.

Drivers say they're not just fighting for their jobs; they're fighting to keep the kids safe.

"You know if there's not the right cars there, you don't let that child off,” Wonacott said. “You call to find out if the child should be let off or not."

But the school board says they’ve made several reference checks on First Students.

“Every single one of them said that safety was outstanding,” Law said. “And that’s an important thing for the board.”

Law says the new company will interview all the current drivers. They can't all be guaranteed a job, but Law says generally in this type of situation, 80-90 percent of the drivers will be rehired.

Thursday, Jun 26 at 12:36 PM Karen wrote ...

Why don't we privatize the whole school system, and run it like a corporation where they are held directly responsible for the end result, our childrens education? I think that ought to be up for a general election..anyone?

Wednesday, Mar 5 at 6:15 PM mad mom in NILES wrote ...

To these FEW uninformed who left comments like "pass a milage you'll keep your job" or " these NEW drivers will be just as good" need to get INFORMED the last 2 milages to go up for vote was for a 103 million doller new high school.and no we don't need one. also do some checking on Grand Rapids Schools the have this company,the turn over rate is unbeliveable they can't keep drivers. So the bottome line is before you write something KNOW THE FACTS. RECALL THE BOARD FIRE DOUG LAW,JOHN TANKE!!!

Wednesday, Mar 5 at 3:40 PM Anonymous wrote ...

When will people learn that when the word privitization comes up, the decision has already been made. Good-bye. You see, the general public would still like to think that loyalty to the company & doing a good job is rewarded. Wrong, if the powers that be see a way to get rid of you especially if you have seniority or higher pay, they will. Companies show no loyalty, why should workers? The drivers will get first dibs for the new co. & how much do they have to sacrifice?

Tuesday, Mar 4 at 7:24 PM Stephanie Bybee, Niles Bus Driver wrote ...

As one of the 28 drivers in the Niles School district and as a member of the bargaining committee who was negotiating the contract for our Union.. I am angry and I have EVERY right to be. Doug Law and the Board strung us along for a year, lied to our faces and made hundreds of empty promises. So tell me to grow up and get over it, are YOU going to pay my mortgage Mr "Living In Reality"?? THIS IS MY reality. It is time Niles stood up and elected a new Board on May 6th and demand a recall vote

Tuesday, Mar 4 at 1:34 PM jeff / from niles wrote ...

i ride these busses! My guardian drives a bus for Niles "COMMUNITY" Schools. This is our income now after last night she will have to find a new job.So much for the community we might as well sell or privitize the whole dang country thats what its coming to. I hope the school board can find another job because they wont be there in May. We will get people in there that will do what the community want not what DOUG LAW wants. Why didnt Doug Law take a pay cut from his $100,000 plus a year.

Tuesday, Mar 4 at 1:08 PM BigRedEvil wrote ...

Um, the is no Indiana Law REQUIRING bus service to and from school. So with that said, Our Man Mitch has no say. When the $$$ dries up, it will be the parents responsibility to transport their children to and from school. How does that sound?

Tuesday, Mar 4 at 11:35 AM Tony Bybee wrote ...

I am a member of the michigan chamber of commerce i personally went over the concessions a week ago and it was never even approached then a vote that had no talk about the agreement, cant wait to vote :-)

Tuesday, Mar 4 at 11:28 AM THE NEXT ONE IT WILL HAPPEN TO! wrote ...

Wake up people! Especially you Hoosiers who have a governor whose motto is, "I buy and sell public jobs everyday!" Ulitimately the fault lies with us. We either had too much trust or didn't do our homework when it came to investigating candidates for the school board. I have heard, I don't know it to be true, but once a school system relinquishes a service such as bus or food, it is almost impossible to get it re-instated. I feel like less of an American everyday. God HELP America.

Tuesday, Mar 4 at 11:23 AM Tony Bybee wrote ...

My lat post here i shouldnt post as this should be handled in a professional manner and what i watched on the news last night was embarassing for the city of niles.I was born here in niles and i really like to stand behind our local services but over the last few years i have seen a different side and for this to happen with our families and children in this city is sad.Doug i am thinking Roseland may need you there. Tony

Tuesday, Mar 4 at 11:12 AM An Angry Parent wrote ...

I have family who drives for Niles,and she's drove their bus for a lot of years now.She's transported dozens of kids who've had siblings that are now in their 20's.She's drove them since Kind.This type of special bond w/families can't be replaced.That is exactly the kind of heartache the board has managed to cause.I agree,the board already had their mind made up before the mtg even started.They must not have children of their own in Niles-that's obvious.They made a very cold hearted decision.

Tuesday, Mar 4 at 10:32 AM Harley wrote ...

Anytime you "Privatize" you are selling yourself out of having management control.Watch the lawsuits!

Tuesday, Mar 4 at 10:14 AM ANDERSON wrote ...

THE PREZ OF THE SCHOOL BOARD SUCH GIVE HIS PAYCHECK FROM HIS DEALERSHIPS UP

Tuesday, Mar 4 at 9:39 AM Tony Bybee wrote ...

How about fixing a flat rubber roof that has to be repaired each year at about $75,000 dollars to maybe one that water runs off at the high school to save money over time.That type of thinking is what saves a business not a magic private company.But well i know with a capitol budget so large it is very easy to say, hey we just need a new high school.I really think somebody is hurting Niles Schools with rash decisions to curb the way the capitol budget is set.

Tuesday, Mar 4 at 6:33 AM An Angry Parent wrote ...

You know,Doug Law says after doing reference checks,these private co. say their first priority is safety.Of course they're going to say that,they want your sale!You wouldn't even consider that company if they didn't,but yet you already have.Shame on you.I have children who are bussed through First Student for another school,and the drivers there say they lost A LOT when they privatized.It took almost 1 1/2 years before we got a driver that half way appeared to know what they were doing.

Tuesday, Mar 4 at 5:21 AM Lars wrote ...

Why not privatize the school boards too, along with the teachers. Maybe even the students. Just hope your new driver has a green card and speaks enough english to talk to the kids.

Tuesday, Mar 4 at 2:23 AM Tony Bybee wrote ...

I think it will be very interesting to see where the cost actually is in a year.I would venture to say in the long run it will be close to the same as what was offered.You have to beware of what a private company offers you in black and white...remember they are salesmen trying to sell thier service to you on paper.

Tuesday, Mar 4 at 2:02 AM Darrell of Niles wrote ...

what is sad is by them doing this the can pocket more money for thenselves you know that the schools won't see any of that money who are they trying to fool to save more money the should cut the salaries of those that are getting paid too much to do nothing at all this is not russia our kids love the drivers the have now doing this we'll be lucky if the new ones speak a lick of english and you better beleive next year our kids will be going to a different school.

Tuesday, Mar 4 at 12:49 AM christine crocker wrote ...

this is nuts we vote them in to represent us and they do as they please they don't care what we want or whats best for our kids it's all about what gives them the most money maybe if the wounderful mr law would cut his HIGH salary it would help but he won't lose a penny in him home it's all the drivers that will be losing money and now so will the school and i know of aobut 50 kids that will be moved to different school systems so was it worth it now the school system will LOSE money!!

Tuesday, Mar 4 at 12:03 AM Living in Reality wrote ...

all you complainers grow up. You vote down milages left and right and then complain when the school board has no choice but to privatize some services to save money. Who knows, maybe the firm will hire some of the drivers...

Monday, Mar 3 at 10:11 PM A Tired Hostage wrote ...

Once again the elected powers to be step up and decide what is right for the taxpaying parents of the kids who ride those buses. Why are issues such as this not put on a ballot to be voted on? The officials who have just taken away many peoples insurance and retirement programs should feel the stress they have created. If this had been voted on it never would have happened and so I wonder just who these elected officials are representing? Not the majority. Your stinking board make me sick.

Monday, Mar 3 at 10:03 PM Todd of Niles wrote ...

He has to cut back so he can put more money in his and his buddies wallets.

Monday, Mar 3 at 9:58 PM anonymous wrote ...

i ride the bus, and the drivers are so friendly, i do not want to start getting on a bus with a driver that i will not expect to know and see around my community. the schools are called niles community school. a community is a group of people who work and live together to function as one. it is not called niles unified school district, and we are not letting others come in and take these jobs that have been passed through generation. why cant our drivers have the jobs they love to do!!??!!/??

Monday, Mar 3 at 9:46 PM A concerned parent wrote ...

Here's what I want to know. How can one company do the same thing a school system is already doing and still validate their existence as a business by turning a profit? Somethings got to give. Less service? Inferior equipment? Less experienced drivers? Who's going to discipline students? Every school system in this area has this idea of outsourcing transportation and each one is as wrong as the next. I wonder if they would be so quick to switch if their children were riding these buses.

Monday, Mar 3 at 9:38 PM Woke up too late wrote ...

We moved from an area just east of Chicago where they privatized the school busing responsibilities. We thought if the school system could save some money it was probably the right thing to do. WRONG! Within a month my husband and I were taking turns driving our children to school. The driver who had driven for the school system couldn't afford to stay on and his replacement looked like a bum and couldn't or wouldn't speak English. Wake up before it's too late. They're your children,not freight.

Monday, Mar 3 at 8:57 PM John Wesley wrote ...

They will hire local people, probably pay them almost as much, soon those people will be just like the ones driving the buses now. Only difference is the school will not be on the hook for liability insurance, medical insurance, retirement, unemployment, workmans comp and other benefits that they can no longer afford, 2 million over five years will go a long way towards solving the shortfall that the school is facing.

Monday, Mar 3 at 7:15 PM Leah Gagliardo wrote ...

If the school board really cares about us then why privatize our buses. Our bus drivers see as childern they care about they dont care about the money. I dont get why hiring a company who does not even know us, and OUR school bored thinks we will be safe.

Monday, Mar 3 at 6:57 PM Tom wrote ...

they should privatize niles while they are at it. im jus sayin.

Monday, Mar 3 at 5:45 PM Trebor wrote ...

I've got a great idea, Import Chinese to drive the buses. Someday these local, state, federal folks will find out the the American dream needs Jobs with insurance and good pay.

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