District decides not to outsource busing for now
EXETER >> The outsourcing of student busing at the Exeter School District is off the table for now.
District Business Manager Anne Guydish reported that the district received two proposals — from Krise Bus Co. of Bangor, Northampton County, and Student Transportation of America of Allentown.
The district’s ad-hoc transportation committee spent over a year compiling a report that shows Krise would cost $2.87 million more per year than the district currently spends on busing, and that STA would cost $2.6 million more.
Those costs do not include about $477,414 in district costs
like software and fuel.
The report also showed a first-year decrease of $142,337 in state subsidy revenue with Krise, and of $178,336 with STA.
The school board agreed not to accept the proposals based on the economic analysis.
David Hemberger, chairman, said he was pleased to find out the current transportation services have been operated efficiently.
“I was happy to recognize that as a district, we were doing a great job,” Hemberger said.
As a result of the findings, the public hearing scheduled for the matter was canceled.
The board agreed to dissolve the ad-hoc committee and task the facilities committee to decide where to go next with the district’s busing structures. Ideas include renovations of the current facilities at Kerr and Shelbourne roads; the district wants to add at least two additional bays to that structure.
Other ideas under consideration include more environmentally friendly transportation, such such as propane-fueled buses and other alternatives.
Many township residents opposed outsourcing district busing. Signs urging the school board to keep the local drivers are posted throughout the township.