District opts for contract drivers
Contracts not renewed in cost-cutting move
BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer

HOLMDEL — Without the renewal of six school bus drivers' contracts, the district will use drivers from contractors that provide transportation services for nonpublic school students.

"As a result of these economic times, we could no longer afford to provide drivers internally, and their contracts were not renewed," explained Holmdel Township Public Schools Business Administrator Michael Petrizzo. "It was a matter of cost, and we were spending more than we could by supplying drivers internally."

Petrizzo said that going through the bidding process to find affordable vendors to supply transportation to the township's nonpublic school students resulted in a number of bus drivers no longer being needed.

"We went through the bidding process and fortunately we were able to accept a bid that was more cost effective, and the six non-renewed drivers will be replaced with the drivers supplied by the contractors," he said. "The companies providing services for the runs next year were contracted for transporting nonpublic school students."

A call to the president of the Holmdel Township Education Association, which represents district school bus drivers, was not returned.

Parents of students who attend nonpublic schools were surprised to find out that their children's transportation to and from school would be on the district's chopping block if bids solicited did not meet statemandated nonpublic school transportation spending limits.

After an aggressive attempt to find bidders who would meet the state spending mandates, the Board of Education awarded contracts to three vendors to bus students who live within the school district but attend nonpublic schools.

Among the companies that will be transporting students to area nonpublic schools are Keyport Auto Body Shop, Keansburg; Michael A. Loori Bus Co., Middletown; and R. Helfrich and Son Inc., Keansburg.

As for which drivers will not return next year, Petrizzo said that is based on seniority.

"They belong to a union, so it is on a seniority basis," he said. "There is no correlation between the drivers who have done nonpublic runs and who will not be renewed for next year."

Petrizzo said the district tried to avoid non-renewal of contracts, but in a tight economy and with a failed 2009-10 school budget, they had no choice.

"Unfortunately, in this economy it comes back as a cost issue, but thankfully we were able to accept bids that put us in compliance," he said. "It is a budgetary situation and not reflective on anyone in particular and it is just unfortunate."

According to the district, it had exceeded the 2008-09 transportation allowance of $884 per nonpublic student set by the state by providing approximately 320 students that reside within the district with transportation to area nonpublic schools such as St. Benedict School in Holmdel, St. John Vianney High School in Holmdel, Red Bank Catholic High School, and Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft.

The state has not increased the cost per pupil for nonpublic transportation from the 2008-09 rates, the district said.

Petrizzo said parents and students could expect the same level of service that they are accustomed to in the upcoming school year.

"The same level of service will be provided to students," he said.