MADISON TOWNSHIP — The Madison Board of Education responded to comments made by U.S. Rep Steven LaTourette after Wednesday’s work session and unanimously stood by its decision to outsource the transportation services to Community Bus Services of Youngstown.

The decision to outsource the transportation services was not only to demonstrate fiscal responsibility, which will save the district $1.5 million over the 5-year contract, but also to address issues concerning quality education and safety and service, according to the board.

“We are extremely sensitive to the plight of the union and our bus drivers,î Board Member Rex Reigert said, “but we are also mindful of the imperative to operate our school district in a fiscally responsible manner.”

Board Vice President Steve Baldwin said the public expects the board to make sound economic decisions while at the same time, preserve quality in every facet of education. He said the board and districtís focus should be on the business of educating its young people and that attempting to be in the transportation business diverts its attention and resources.

“In today’s ever challenging economic environment, our focus and priority must be providing every child with a quality education,”î Baldwin said, “We contracted with Community Bus Services because we were absolutely convinced they will provide the cost efficiencies, safety and service excellence we demand.”

Board member Jacqueline Azbill said the board’s decision to privatize transportation services should not be interpreted as a reflection of the district’s bus drivers as much as a manifestation of the economy and our obligation to the families of our district.

During the Monday, July 14 press conference, LaTourette said after discussions with a BOE member, bus drivers and the school districtís lawyer, the congressman felt that there was a failure to communicate on the boardís part.

Baldwin said the exchange didn’t fail as a result of the school board negligence, but instead on the part of the union and LaTourette’s office. He said while the congressman spoke to union reps and some bus drivers, he should have met with board members as a group instead of speaking with just one board member before going to officeholders and the press.

“Then he has the audacity to talk about failure to communicate? He should have talked to both sides before he took a side one way and the othe,” he said.

LaTourette also accused the board of “cherry-picking” house bill 66, a bill that allows schools to privatize services in efforts to save money within a school district.

“Aren’t they legislators? Donít they know whatís in this bill? Maybe they need to go back and review it,” Baldwin said, ìHouse bill 66 has been around for a long time and there are other school districts using this same bill. There was never any attempt to ìcherry-pick this bill.”

The congressman, along with State Sen. Timothy J. Grendell, U.S. State Rep. Carol-Ann Schindel and the Madison Township Trustees; Pete Wayman, Jeff Quirk and Bill Brotzman publicly requested that the board rescind their decision and negotiate in good faith.

“This is something we started seven months ago. We held public meetings that they attended and they never asked any questions,” Baldwin said, “This isn’t something that just happened.”

“We gave our union multiple opportunities to join with us as we worked through the process of studying our transportation challenges, but their lack of communication placed us in an untenable situation where we simply had to move forward.î Reigert said, ìThe board followed every procedure dictated by their contract with OAPSE Local #238.”

A time line of events beginning December 19, 2007 until June 16, 2008 provides dates of correspondence concerning e-mails and meeting dates. These documents are available upon request from the Board of Education office.

“It is also unfortunate that Congressman LaTourette is hinting that our school board will be facing extensive litigation and incurring significant legal fees,” Baldwin said, adding that this legal maneuvering might be interpreted as intimidation.

“We have done everything by the book and the fact is that the thought of extensive litigation is untenable based upon similar challenges in Ohio and favorable Supreme Court rulings,” Acting Superintendent Matthew Chojnacki said.

As for the protests and the planned rally, Baldwin said, “If thatís what they want to do, thatís fine. But it seems to me that all that energy could have been better used if they had worked with the school board.”