ORANGE : School Board Votes to Privatize Bus Service
Despite pleas from parents and bus drivers, the Orange Unified School Board voted Thursday, after weeks of debate, to privatize its student bus system and awarded a contract to Santa Barbara Transportation Corp.
Wording in the school board’s resolution states that the district will continue to negotiate with the California School Employees Assn., the union representing bus drivers, on “awarding and effects” of the contract.
Union leaders said they will continue to fight the decision.
“There may be an alternative to contracting out,” said William A. Lokay, CSEA field representative. He said the union is working on a counterproposal to submit to the district.
A number of parents have said that they fear for their children’s safety if buses are driven by private operators.
Lora Foglesong, whose children ride the district’s school buses, told trustees that she has lived in areas that use private bus contractors and that Orange Unified’s service is “far superior.”
“Please work with these people and give them a chance,” she said.
The resolution passed on a 6-1 vote, however, with no discussion. Trustee James Fearns voted against the decision without comment.
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