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Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Backyard News, 07.07.09

* Lower Paxton Twp. supervisors took a step Tuesday night to head off upcoming electricity rate hikes. The township has taken a lead role with an alliance of midstate municipalities that will buy electricity in bulk.

* CLICK HERE for a complete recap of last night's supervisors' meeting brought to you courtesy of community watchdog group SWAN.

* The Cooper family of Lower Paxton Twp. is getting quite a reputation for their forays into food sampling, according to The Patriot-News.

* In news just beyond our backyard, The Paxton Herald recently reported that a "massive" road project is scheduled to start July 27 on Linglestown Road (Route 39) in West Hanover Twp. at the truck stops near the I-81 interchange. The two-year, $12.9 million project will widen the road to five lanes and install four traffic lights.

* Finally, this week’s edition of The Paxton Herald has news about the brewing controversy over Central Dauphin school administrators seeking an outside company to run the district’s bus fleet. The bus driver union tells the newspaper that they plan to seek wages and benefits for the final two years of their current contract if they get the heave-ho. Plus, the drivers took an ad out to launch a petition drive against outsourcing school bus transportation.

Labels: CD schools

42 Comments:

At 11:22 AM, Anonymous said...: What is up with the CD School Board meeting on Redistricting???
At 11:47 AM, Bill Bostic said...: I see it's on the 07.13.09 meeting agenda, and I plan to be at the meeting to hear the report.
At 9:44 AM, Caring bus driver said...: I am a resident of CD School District and a bus driver for the district. I have to tell you that I am confused by the powers that be. We, the bus drivers, get a letter of intent which indicates that we will have a job come the start of school then less then 2 wks after school is out we hear that they want to outsource our jobs. We still have two years left on our contract, so they are going to pay us and the contractors to do our job. As a tax payer that does not make sense to me. How can this be explained. Not to mention the change is service to the children of the district. I have seen the way some of those contractors drive and I would not want any of the kids assigned to my bus riding with them. We need the publics help.
At 2:18 PM, Anonymous said...: This is a great statement I heard.

Central Dauphin School District's School Bus Driver's and Buses are a known quality and should be retained by CD, instead of outsourcing what CD has to a privately ownedtransit system where the quality that School Tax Payers demand and have come to expect, could be in jeopardy.
When you own something, you control it. It is cheaper in the long run than renting it.
CD currently has a dependable and qualified system to transport students to and from their homes. CD should keep it in place.
CD needs to have the best, especially when it comes to the CARE & SAFETY of the STUDENTS!
At 7:19 PM, Anonymous said...: iT'S TIME FOR THE taxpayers to come out on july 13,2009 to East High and let this school board know what you think about this issue and many others where they spend out money without even caring.
At 7:23 PM, Anonymous said...: We used to be proud to be Central Dauphin Bus Drivers and now we have a coordinator that know's nothing about buses and has eliminated ALL SAFETY PROGRAMS. What does this tell you about how he cares about your students? We need to clean house in the transportation office management and do it WITHOUT FAIL!!!! Come out and let your voice be heard.
At 11:56 PM, Pozy54 said...: I am a new bus driver, just started with the district in February. They trained me and were with me every step of the way towards getting my CDL. In the short time I have been driving I think I found my niche. I love driving that big yellow monster so much I have decided this is what I want to do for the rest of my working days! And now the possibility of having no job to go to on August 31st hurts me a lot. I got some names on a petition but only had one day to do it till the Monday nite meeting. I was also lucky enough to aquire an aide position at Linglestown Elem. in the cafeteria. Now I learn that those positions are also being eliminated. I needed that extra time in order to have affordable health insurance benefits. What are we supposed to do now? I do hope that they changed their minds about hiring and training ANY new drivers.
Signed-Donna Hoffman Bus #928
At 9:43 AM, Anonymous said...: As a taxpayer I question how a third party can generate a profit and yet save the school district money. If so, then it sounds like the school district is being mismanged.
At 3:51 PM, Anonymous said...: When I started driving for Central Dauphin we were quality to the core. Since they hired this administation they are rotten to the core. "Just thinking to outsource our STUDENT!"
At 6:20 PM, Anonymous said...: I think it's a damned shame in todays economy where people are losing their jobs and jobs are being outsourced out of OUR COUNTRY, now we are being screwed by people running our own school district. Who are these people really working for? Surely not us. They just raised our taxes and now they are trying to eliminate our jobs. If money is an issue what about Jay Omslaer's hugh $9000.00 raise? Who gets to pay for the 2 year buy out of his contract? I think someone is greasing someone else's palms on that board.This Board has too much power, too much taxation without representation. It is time to clean house and vote for board members who work for the tax payers!!
At 6:50 PM, FRANK LAGANELLA said...: IN REGARD TO THE POSSIBILITY OF CD SCHOOL DIST. CONTRACTING THE TRANSPORTATION DEPT., THE PARENTS, STUDENTS AND CITIZENS OF DAUPHIN CO. COVERING THIS AREA SHOULD LOOK AT THE SAFETY FACTOR.
WITH TRANSPORTING OVER 11000 STUDENTS EACH DAY THE SAFETY RECORD OF THE DRIVERS AT CD IS 2ND TO NONE.
CONTRACTORS HAVE NOT AND CAN NOT SHOW THE SAFETY RECORD THIS FLEET HAS.
A COUPLE QUESTIONS ARE,
WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THE DRIVERS?
HOW IS THE DIST. GOING TO HANDLE GETTING RID OF THE BUSES?
SELL THEM AT A BIG LOSS?
HOW MUCH IS IT GOING TO COST THE DIST. AND THE TAXPAYERS?
THE COMPANY CAN NOT MAKE A BIG PROFIT AND STILL SAVE THE DIST. BIG BUCKS. SOMEONE HAS TO PAY. THE TAXPAYERS?
I RETIRED FROM THIS FLEET WITH OVER 22 YEARS, WAS PRESIDENT OF THE DRIVERS ASSOC. 10+ YEARS. I WAS ALWAYS PROUD OF THE FLEET. WE HAD TOP DRIVERS WHO WERE SAFETY MINDED AND CARED ABOUT THE STUDENTS. WE HAD TOP EQUIPMENT TO TRANSPORT THE STUDENTS. TOP TRAINERS, GREAT OFFICE STAFF IF A PROBLEM AROSE. LAST BUT NOT LEAST WE HAD THE STUDENTS WHO RODE EVERY DAY.
I HAVE 4 CHILDREN WHO GRADUATED FROM THE DIST.AND THEIR DRIVERS WERE LIKE A 2ND SET OF PARENTS TO THEM.
WILL THE DRIVERS HIRED BY THIS CO. BE THE SAME?
PART OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IS THE TRANSPORTATION DEPT. OF THE DIST. THE DRIVERS ARE THE 1ST AND LAST PERSON THE STUDENTS SEE FROM THE DIST EACH DAY.
THE TAXPAYERS OF CD SCHOOL DIST. SHOULD AND MUST LET THE SCHOOL BOARD KNOW HOW THEY FEEL.
At 6:53 PM, Anonymous said...: Dear School Board Members:
We will find out who voted for this and do you really think we will let you keep your jobs...guess again. There are many others that will take and do your job the right way so...sit up on the hill in your big houses until election time and worry because change is coming.
Joe from West Hanover
At 7:43 AM, Anonymous said...: The school board is talking about cutting costs within the school district. Well then lets start at the top. The administration building. Most of those people are making well over $100,000.00 per position. And there are way to many bosses up there. Lets start there. And let the little people keep their jobs, which they need. Once we clean house up there, then we clean house on the school board.
At 9:11 AM, Nurse83 said...: I agree with all the previous statements here, but I would like to add, that I think this whole mess is a shame. To contract to an outside company for this purpose just seems wrong to me. I was a student in the CD district for my entire life. I had the same bus driver from kindergarden till 6th grade and then a few others, but I can tell you that bus driver was a staple in my life. Your bus driver is like your mailman,your teachers, your local firemen, your local policemen, the local store clerk. They are a constant in our lives, someone you should know and trust (after all they take care of the most important thing in a parents' life). I loved my bus driver and always will have a place in my heart for her. I did have more than one throughout the years, but not more than 3 in my whole 12 years of school. Also, I saw a comment on here about cutting bus safety programs, I don't know if that is true or not, but if so that is a shame. I remember those programs like they were yesterday. In fact my favorite assemblies always including that little talking bus. And the info was always valuable in case of emergency. I am now an ICU nurse and I am all for any program that teaches ANYONE emergenciy protocols. This is what saves lives! (including teaching a child what to do if something were to happen to the bus driver) These ideas are only going to cost more money to the taxpayers and result in less quality then ever. There are a lot of businesses in our lives that might get away with this..cheaper product for less money, but driving your children to school should not be one of them. Just my opinion though.
At 12:04 PM, Anonymous said...: I am a taxpayer, my children, nieces and nephews all attend CD Schools. I was first frustrated to learn about getting a new company to run the cafeterias. We were very pleased with the old company...the children never had a complaint and finally looked forward to their lunch. Now, I am even more frustrated to learn about outsourcing our buses!! This is crazy!! Leave it alone!! This came out of nowhere and now seems to be rushed....and why?? I also went to CD and my bus driver is now driving some of my nieces and nephews. These drivers have been loyal to me, my kids and the district!! Whoever is behind this maybe they should give up their salary and see if they like it!!!
At 12:36 PM, Debbie Raber said...: I am a taxpayer,a mother of two children in the district and a bus driver. The whole CD School system is so crooked. First and foremost are the children...and the Administration cares nothing about the kids. Not their education, not their safety...the only thing they worry about is the money that's going into their pockets.
Did you know that the education budget was cut 50% this year? Did you know that the Administration got raises?
I am hoping to get my children out of the district schools. This does not solve the problem with the bus drivers, though. I love my job. I get to meet the most wonderful kids and their parents. This mismanaged school district has a lot to learn about the goings on, and make lot's better choices, instead of all of the overspending, that is on everthing except the school buses. I personally had 11 buses this past year. We could have newer equipment, but the absurd salaries the Administration gets, and most of the staff isn't fair. Our children and the taxpayers are what count and I hope to see as many people as we can get to help put an end to this spending spree the Administration is on.
At 2:00 PM, Anonymous said...: I am currently a bus driver. I must say I love my job. I came here with all intentions of this being my last job until I retire. The groups of kids I drive each day are just the best! And believe me I haven't missed a day of work!! I've been able to watch them grow up just like they were my own. When I am out and about it never fails that I run into a student that always greets me with a smiling face :o) (You do realize that a teacher may have a student for a year, but a bus driver can transport them for many, many years). Now they are greeting me with "are you still going to be our bus driver?" It would break my heart if I really had to tell them "no". This whole situation is sooo stressful....I love my job.....why can't they just leave things the way they are?????
At 2:08 PM, Anonymous said...: I agree...this is so stressful. This is my second comment on here in 2 days. My second comment is that it is so stressful!! Leave it alone!
At 3:20 PM, Anonymous said...: I am a taxpayer and a CD employee. I must agree with these people who have commented above, want to reduce taxes? Then, lets start at the top at transportation, Jay Omslaer, he is NOT WORTH the money he makes. Is it 115,000? We also have problems multipled by his appearance and the BIGGEST ONE IS THE SAFETY OF THE STUDENTS. He does NOT follow our contract, he uses his selfish interpretations that have caused many unfair labor practices against the district. WE THE TAXPAYERS must wake up and get rid of him and his office staff, they are not fair, their are about 20 bus drivers who will say they treat them well. These drivers are their "favorites" Jay's chosen snitches. Jay Omslaer is so crooked and such a liar, he calls himself a "Christian"??? Fellow taxpayers, please, if you want to save money MAke the school board that we elected STAND RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR DECISION ON JAY OMSLAER. I AM A CDL TRAINER FOR THE DISTRICT AND HE KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT A BUS!! IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT FOR A COORDINATOR OF TRANSPORTATION? We need a non-hostile work environment that doesn't stress us to death.Speaking of at the top, EXCLUDING the new superintendant, of which i know nothing about, I hope to God he sees that we are a group of loving, caring drivers who just want to be treated fairly. I graduated from Central Dauphin High and so did my child. When was the economy and the impact of job loss not a factor? Try going back to the 70's when Mr. Dan Lehman ran the buses, now that was coordinator, talk to him ask him how to fix this mess? PLEASE DON'T ALLOW THIS SCHOOL BOARD TO UPSET EVERYTHING AT TRANSPORTATION AND THE SAFETY THAT WAS PRESENT UNDER HIS DIRECTION. Remember school board members, WE VOTED YOU IN AND YOU CAN BE REPLACED JUST AS EASY. Please we need our jobs, we love our jobs and always have the children's safety in mind. I haven't called off from work in over 10 years, excluding a family death, are you willing to take a chance with contracted drivers of which you know NOTHING? In the long run it will cost US the taxpayers more and we will not have any buses to go back and work with. PLEASE COME OUT TO THE MEETING AT CD EAST LECTURE HALL AND LETS'S SHOW THEM WHO WANTS WHAT!!!!!!
At 3:49 PM, Anonymous said...: CENTRAL DAUPHIN SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS..I CAN'T BELIEVE WE ARE EVEN HAVING THIS CONVERSATION. THESE DRIVERS AND TRANSPORTATION EMPLOYEES ARE YOUR NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS WHICH ARE ALL TAX PAYERS. WHO DO YOU REALLY, REALLY WORK FOR?? HOPEFULLY THIS ANGERS PEOPLE ENOUGH TO CLEAN THE SLATE AND START OVER WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF ALL BOARD MEMBERS THAT ARE VOTING FOR THIS. IF YOU DIDN'T VOTE FOR THIS, STAND UP AND BE RECOGNIZED FOR HAVING COMMON SENSE.
At 4:39 PM, Anonymous said...: CD SChool Board:

Please remember that we the taxpayers voted your worthless bodies in,and we the TAXPAYERS WILL VOTE YOUR ASS OUT, I WILL MAKE IT A PERSONAL CAMPAIGN TO TAKE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU OFF THE BOARD FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING.

Cut the salaries in administration, cut Mr. Omslear altogether, we are paying twice what any other ooordinator gets for a center this size,and he knows absolutely NOTHING ABOUT BUS DRIVING, did all of you taxpayers know that he did not meet any of the criteria of the job description as coordinator, but Judy Canfield convinced the board to hire him. He cant manage a rubber duck in a bathtub, and he and his staff have created all the unfair labor practices at the the trans center. Funny how we never had this until he showed up.

FUnny how our buses all went through the shop in the summer time, after he took over only 40 to 50% make it before school starts, funny how new buses are running 20,000 miles before any maintenance is done, funny how things like brake repairs and other major issues go three months or more before they are fixed, funny how they hired two trainers who cant drive their own cars right, one knows it all she is an expert at nothing,and the other has had 10 or more lot accidents and one on the road with kids on, all against the criteria for a trainer, what he is going to teach new drivers, how to hit shit and get away with it????????

The whole trans center management staff NEEDS TO GET OUT OF DODGE, THEY ARE PHONY SELF CENTERED EGOTISTICAL ASSHOLES WHO KNOW NOTHING ABOUT EVERYTHING AND THRIVE ON MESSING WITH THE DRIVERS.
The coordinator, who we pay all this ridiculoous money sits in his office and watches the drivers on their cameras (maybe he is wierd too), all day long, to nit pick and screw with drivers who have far more knowledge and experience than he ever will.

We wasted $210,000 on cameras so he can screw with the drivers.

WE also wasted $150,000 for on spot chains that are being removed from the buses as they break, another OMSLEAR CREATION, because they dont want to waste the money to keep them in good repair, yet we PAID A MECHANIC OVER A TWO YEAR PERIOD TO INSTALL THESE WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT SPY CAMERAS TO BE USED ON US AND THE DAMN THINGS ARE DOWN EVERY DAY, SOMEONE HAS A PROBLEM (SEVERAL) HAVE A PROBLEM EACH AND EVERY DAY, SO THE COORDINATOR CAN SIT ON HIS FAT ASS AND WATCH US AND HARASS US.

WE NEED A COORDINATOR FROM WITHIN, SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHERE THE PROBLEMS ARE, WHO CAN FIX THIS SHIT AND GET RID OF THESE ASSHOLES IN THE MANAGEMENT TEAM. BOB COBURN LEFT AND TOLD THE DISTRICT NOT TO HIRE ANYONE FROM WITHIN, SHOWS WHAT AN ASSHOLE HE WAS TOO, BUT HE DID NOT WANT ANYONE TO KNOW THE WRONG AND DISHONEST THINGS THEY DID UNDER HIS TENURE SO HE TOLD THEM NOT TO HIRE ANYONE INSIDE WHO WOULD KNOW WHERE TO LOOK, WHAT A JOKE YOU ARE CD, WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE BEFORE YOU MAKE YET ANOTHER MISTAKE!!!!

WE DONT DO IT AT CD SCHOOL DISTRICT UNLESSS IT IS ABSOLUTELY WRONG, SO THIS IS JUST ANOTHER PRIME EXAMPLE, RIGHT KAREN MCCONNELL??????????

THIS IS THE NFL CD SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, THAT MEANS NOT FOR LONG UNTIL YOU ARE VOTED OUT IF YOU DO THIS STUPID ASSININE ACT!!!!!
At 5:39 PM, Anonymous said...: WOW!That was...... holy shit....WOW!
At 8:09 AM, Anonymous said...: This doesn't make any sense. Why do we keep taking away jobs from people.....what to save a dollar. I can think of several other ways that CD can save some money....
At 10:47 AM, Anonymous said...: I believe we should stick to the issue at hand which is the possibility that the CD board may vote to outsource transportation. As a driver myself, it seems that we must not work for the same department. The majority of us have no problem with the staff at transportation. We come in do our jobs well, follow the rules, and go home. Satisfied and happy. We do however, have a problem with the individuals who run our association. It is drama, drama, drama every day. Unfortunately, it is this very vocal minority who gets heard and not the silent majority. Perhaps there are problems. Not sure. But Mr. Lehman was no god. It can be found through the internet that under his direction the district lost money because of botched reporting. State reports were manipulated, inaccurate, and sloppy.

The public needs to know that non district employees just do not have the same vested interest in the district as those who live and work in the district. Have you seen how most of the First Student, Rohrer, Laidlaw, and Kauffman bus drivers handle their buses on the road? It is frightening. You do not hear of CD drivers hitting children, running into buildings, etc. I have seen outsourced drivers driving while young children are standing in the front of the bus, I have seen children stumble and fall to the ground because a driver starts moving before the student has reached their seat, I have seen these same drivers speed on school property and on the streets and highways.

We also must present ourselves to the public in forums such as this as professional drivers and not resort to profanity and mud slinging. That will not bring the public to our side.
At 10:59 AM, Anonymous said...: I beg to differ with you! Mr Lehman knew his job. He was the first person into work in the morning, and the last to leave at night. He stuck up for his drivers. Which we haven't had since he left. He always had his handheld radio on. So on weekends and evenings when busses where out on trips and out there alone, we had contact with someone, if something would happen to the bus. We don't have that now. We can call the list of people in the office, and if your really lucky, you just might reach someone. What does that say????
At 1:01 PM, Pozy54 said...: I totally agree with one of the last comments re: stop the mud slinging and being more professional. I think a few bad mouths can ruin this whole cause if we're not careful. I think we should work together but it seems that is a misnomer because the right hand will not let the left hand know what is going on! The meeting of the school board last nite was very enlightening. I can see that they DO NOT give two hoots about what the public wants. They are in it for themselves and will do what they want..however they want it done and to heck with us. THE PUBLIC. THE TAX PAYERS. I have never trusted any governmental board and after last nites meeting I mean that ALL THE MORE. Are we sure that the driver outsourcing was not already decided on at the executive meeting before we all got there for the 7:00pm meeting? Better look into that one eh?
And why is it I'm the only one that signs what I write? Maybe I'm the stupid one.
Donna Hoffman - CD Bus Driver
At 2:40 PM, Anonymous said...: The problem at transportation is NOT the drivers. Let's all focus on the issues. I am an Ex driver and there was a time when we had safety meetings during in service days. I am not sure why that no longer happens. I was very proud to be called a CD bus driver. It is not an easy job but a very rewarding one. You need people in these positions that take pride in what we do. This is about Precious cargo!! our children!! Which should be the number one focus! Out sourcing would not solve anything if the same people are in charge!!!! Plus now you are going to pay drivers less money and CD will get what they pay for. What you need is a good leader. Or leaders. We have a great deal of wonderful drivers that do awesome jobs. Yes there are probably a handful that are not as good as the others. That is where a good boss comes in. You make them good, Lead by example... Lets read some of the job descriptions that you can get to at CD's web site. Then let's look at the people we have in these positions...hmm. I am sure some of the people in the offices are there because, they got hurt at work or they are a buddy of the guy that got hurt. I think that is where we need to start. Fix it from the top not from the bottom. The best people you have over there are the drivers and the mechanics.
At 5:50 PM, Anonymous said...: I've read alot of posts from taxpayers and busdrivers. But not ONE WORD from SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS or even the STAFF from TRANSPORTION. Does this mean eveyone else is telling the TRUTH! Remember you can stay anonymous.
At 6:14 PM, Anonymous said...: there is NOTHING truthful about anyone on that board. they are all liars and cheats and only care about having their own pockets padded. they can all go to hell. they'll not get my vote when it's time. i'm sure no one else will vote for their sorry asses either. as far as transportation goes they'll lose their jobs too if it's outsourced. they get paid way too much to keep them.
At 12:42 PM, Anonymous said...: I am a taxpayer....let me say my house is up for sale and I won't look back when its sold. I pitty the poor person who buys my house then finds out that they just moved into the most crooked school district in the state!!! Its just amazing the things this district does. I have followed the news very closely over the 15 years I have lived here. I have attended school board meetings. The last meeting I attended was the last one! The things that go one and unless you attend a meeting you might never know about until its a done deal i.e. the final say in hiring the new super. Where was the taxpayers say in that? The salaries of the administration is out of control and maybe if we started there we could really save some money. Let's get organized! vote out these present school board members and get some people in there that know what they are doing!!
At 8:08 PM, Deb said...: I would like to publicly thank all the taxpayers and neighbors and fellow drivers for coming out to support us bus drivers. To all the people who helped us at fundraisers, thank you too! Thanks Again.
At 8:38 PM, Anonymous said...: Well, I sure hope that the taxpayers stay on top of things and are kept much better "informed".sOUNDS LIKE THEY HAD TO HEAR THE TRUTH BY ATTENDING SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS AND THROUGH THE cdbda. i AM SURE THAT "tRANSPORTATION will have their list of excuses for all the accusations against them and they in turn will do what they always DO ,BLAME THE BUSDRIVERS ! lOOK OUT CD bus drivers, you'll be the target for a long time to come. Thanks for letting us taxpayers know what is really going on and for being such caring drivers!!!
At 8:16 AM, Anonymous said...: Sounds to me like there are a lot of cry baby bus drivers, I am a self employed, distric resident.
My staff complaines about me also,
3 out of 21.This causes problems for all 21
All I expect is show up do your job and go home and enjoy the rest of your day. it sounds to me that there are a few bus drivers that need to be fired. I know there will be 3 of my staff going this week , Thank you for letting me see that this is a problem everywhere
At 9:41 AM, Anonymous said...: I agree with 8:16am anonymous. The problem is the drivers like the president of the association and those who follow her in her close knit group. They whine and complain about EVERYTHING that simply does not go their way! They believe they are on are side but in fact, they hurt are side by their actions. We wish they would go away and complain and cause trouble some where else. The rest of us want to come in do our jobs well as we are supposed to do and go home.
At 11:58 AM, Anonymous said...: Those who feel they could do a better job on our school board should run for office. Quit complaining. These people don't get paid and get harassed everytime they vote on anything. You can't please everyone.
At 10:40 PM, Anonymous said...: I am not a bus driver, I am not an employee. The drivers are good people and the drivers association has a point. A point the district wants to cloud by saying the president is leading by emotion, not facts. The facts are, a good group employees are being maligned so some members of the board and the administration can get a trophy, and in five years you, the tax payer will get a shinny new shaft. Yes a gold gilded shaft. I have sat through many talks of outsourcing and after the first five years the district will have nothing to bargain with. The board is up to no good, suddenly the board has a meeting scheduled for July 29, 2009.

It's not over, you thought the state house and senate were trying to do things behind your back and after hours. Look out, the School Board is going to make those actions look like child's play. If this was just seeing what the industry will pay, why have meeting behind the scenes, related to outsourcing, continued with other employees. Sooner or later this is going to happen, if the board and administration have their way.

Lets talk about saving money, a for profit company takes over and your drivers start working for a company whose main goal is to make a profit. The buses will still need to meet state and district minimums. If retained, the drivers will need to loose pay and benefits. The services provided will then be based on the economics of what is best for the transportation company, not your child. We must remember this is low bid, so where will the savings come from to make a profit, you the citizen and the student. This is a lose / lose situation for the drivers and the citizens. Only the administration and the Board get to hold up the trophy. You the citizens of the district, you just get to experience a holdup.

It's time to look to other areas of local government that have tried outsourcing. Look at the trends. Statics show that outsourcing of government functions over time do not show a savings, they only show a loss of control. Statics show that a large group of government functions previously outsourced are being brought back to the oversight and financial obligation of the original governing body, at a cost of three times the normal operating budgets. The reasons given for this trend include losing of control and spiraling costs. It all comes back to lack of control and leverage. When you give up all your assets, you have nothing to bargain with but the open market. Go ahead give up the assets you hold and you can bargain with nothing. What is the rush? Why won’t you look at alternatives? What studies have you done to support this action? What are you hiding?
At 10:58 PM, Anonymous said...: If it was three or a couple of crabby employees, I would agree you might have a point. But the CDBDA is made up of a vast majority of the drivers and a vast majority of those are the one's upset by what the district is doing.

Not one person, not the president, not a single source, as the transportation administration would have you believe, but many drivers are upset by what is going on in the Central Dauphin School district. A large number of independently thinking, intelligent individuals are concerned for their jobs and the safety of your children.

Lets stay with the facts and stop throwing trash at each other.

If it was three or a couple of crabby employees, I would agree you might have a point. But the CDBDA is made up of a vast majority of the drivers and a vast majority of those are the one's upset by what the district is doing.
At 2:55 PM, Anonymous said...: The busdrivers have a binding contract with The C.D school District for the next 2 years. THIS NEEDS TO BE UP HELD even if THEY deside to outsourse. And they will outscourse that I'm sure of !!
At 1:32 PM, Anonymous said...: THERE'S A "SPECIAL" SCHOOL BOARD MEETING ON JULY 29TH It was just posted on the Cdschools.org website
At 4:59 PM, Anonymous said...: I am hoping more taxpayers and parents will come out for the August 10th board meeting, have you seen the "Horror stories" of school buses being outsourced, maybe you should check into Durham and First Student or under the AFSCME website, then under horror stories and then under school buses, I'm sure it will prove to be valuable to each and every one!
Funny thing is: Jay Omslaer gets a raise and he keeps his job and the whole office staff also! What's wrong here? I thought it was to be for the SAFETY of the students? Not the safety of Jay and his office staff!!!
At 11:15 PM, Anonymous said...: Everyone needs to consider that not just bus drivers are being affected by this situation at CD. You have 8 bus mechanics that havent taken great pride and put in many many hours to make sure the bus fleet at CD was up and running. Some of these mechanics have been employed 10-20+ years . Shame on you Central Dauphin for being so narrow minded and heartless. All these employees have families to take care and provide for . Ever consider that. There are so many other ways to handle the issues at transportaion.
At 11:41 AM, Anonymous said...: Thanks to the above for mentioning the bus mechanics. I'm sure most people don't know that this affects them as well. The mechanics do a great job in keeping our fleet up and running each and everyday. Between the bus drivers and mechanics the CD transportation department is second to none!! Hows that for spirit......please help keep us alive and vote "NO" to outsourcing!!

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Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Backyard News, 07.07.09

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