Middletown can block bus co.'s bids Court gives school board right to reject routes for 3 years BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer Following a series of issues, including a highly publicized one in which a high school student's life was endangered, the Middletown Board of Education has won the opportunity to eliminate Milu Bus Service from operating on any of the school district's bus routes. Parrish Jones, a bus aide hired by the Cliffwood Beach-based bus company, was arrested in October and indicted in March on numerous narcotics-related drug charges after he allegedly supplied methadone to a 15-year-old Middletown High School North student. The student passed out in class that afternoon, apparently from an overdose. According to Board of Education Attorney Christopher Parton, this was one of a few incidents within the past year that prompted the district to look into its ties to Milu. "This is clearly a victory for the Board of Education," Parton said of Friday's ruling. "Nonperformance was a problem, and the board felt it was best to explore its options regarding this matter." Hearings were held before Monmouth County Superintendent of Schools Eugenia Lawson on May 8 and 15 concerning the issue that the district had with Milu. Lawson ruled in favor of the district on June 15, saying that the bus company was a nonperforming contractor. The decision, though, was only valid for two of the bus routes that the company had with the district, because these were the only two that were brought up during the testimony in May. Parton then brought the argument before Administrative Law Judge Jeff S. Masin, saying that the board wanted the right to disqualify Milu from having any routes within the school district. New Jersey Statute 18A:39-11.3, which deals with disqualification of bidders and defines "prior negative experience," was cited as why the board wanted to potentially end its affiliation with Milu. On Friday, Masin agreed, saying that Lawson infringed upon the board's discretion. "Now the board has the authority to determine if Milu can be disqualified for bidding on any bus routes for up to three years," Parton said. "This is clearly a victory for the board, and now it is their call as to what they will do concerning its contract with Milu." Parton said that a determination may be made by the school board at its July 25 meeting. Board member Patricia Walsh declined to comment on the decision. Jones is facing a potential sentence of 36 years in prison if convicted on all charges. Less than two months after the incident, the district entered into an agreement with the bus company that allowed school personnel to randomly board buses and check employees' credentials. In April, a controversial measure was passed by a 5-4 vote allowing Milu to operate routes to transport students to the Austin Academy, an alternative high school program. Also in response to the incidents, assemblywomen Amy Handlin (R-Monmouth/Middlesex) and Linda Greenstein (D-Middlesex/Mercer) co-sponsored a bill package aimed at making transportation safer for students. The bills included legislation that would disqualify school bus companies from bidding on transportation contracts if they have any criminal convictions, or if their fleet of buses fails safety inspections. Also, anyone with a record involving violent crimes or drug dealing would be immediately barred from having any contact with schoolchildren.