CD schools update, 08.04.09

* Where is the summer going? The start of a new school year is less than a month away – first day of school is Monday, Aug. 31.

* The controversy over Central Dauphin school officials checking into hiring an outside firm to run the district’s transportation department to cut costs continues to be a red-hot issue.

The bus drivers' union has ratcheted up their campaign to preserve their jobs in recent days. They have hired widely known political and community activist Eric Epstein to help defend in-house busing, and are circulating petitions asking the school board not to outsource bus transportation. Also, signs are starting to pop up around the area – the one pictured above is in the village of Linglestown.

The school board is expected to discuss transportation outsourcing in public for the first time during their Aug. 10 meeting at CD East High, 7 pm.

Dozens of comments have been posted on the Gazette about this controversy.

* The school board held a special meeting last Wednesday, July 29, to discuss personnel issues. Transportation issues were not on the agenda, according to school board member Christian Malesic.

* Dr. Luis Gonzalez was sworn in as superintendent of schools by District Judge Joseph Lindsey on July 15. CLICK HERE for photos – Gonzalez is on the right.