Spokane Public Schools hires new bus company

For the first time in decades, Spokane Public Schools is hiring a new bus company.

Laidlaw, which was purchased by First Student last year, will make way for Durham School Services for the 2008-2009 school year.

“Their price was $1 million less than First Student’s over five years,” said Mark Anderson, associate superintendent for school support services. The district has been paying fuel prices that came in higher than the contracted amount, so saving money is crucial. In addition, Durham will provide new school buses for every route, an incentive the district couldn’t ignore.

The district, which buses about 6,500 students per day on 160 routes, was not unhappy with the service provided by Laidlaw or First Student, Anderson said. “But when you’re in budget problems like we’ve got and you’re looking at $1 million and a company that has great recommendations,” you have to take it, he said.

The reason Laidlaw had a lock on the contract for so many years lies in the bus facility at 1720 E. Fairview Ave. Every time Laidlaw’s contract was up for renewal, which requires an open bidding process, the company would lock up the lease on the bus barn past the contract end date. Any company wanting to bid on the contract had to factor in creating a new bus facility in a different location, which would raise their bid price.

“They were able to renew their lease and always have their lease extend out farther than our five-year contract,” said Jason Conley, director of transportation. “Some would say that was unfair; some would say that was good business practice.”

The difference this time lies in an antitrust lawsuit filed when First Student proposed buying Laidlaw. Eleven states, including Washington, joined the suit. As part of the settlement, a clause required First Student to open its bus barn lease in Spokane to other bidders.

The new contract will cost the district $7.4 million per year for five years. Durham is expected to hire most of the drivers currently employed by First Student. Durham has already held a hiring event, and more are planned.

– Nina Culver

CV board considers changes

A price increase in school lunches and breakfasts is looming in Central Valley School District.

Duane Smilden, supervisor of nutrition services, said the combination of rising food and fuel prices, coupled with a reduction in the amount of each meal subsidized by the state, has led to a “perfect storm.”

Smilden proposed raising the price of breakfast by 10 cents at all schools and increasing lunch costs by 25 cents, as well as raising the price of milk by 10 cents.

Some board members were reluctant to raise the price of lunch and milk so much. Board member Cindy McMullen said the increases will hit hardest at families who make just more than the income limit that would allow them to qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

McMullen suggested limiting the increase in lunch prices to 10 cents and not increasing milk prices, a suggestion that seemed to find support from other board members.

Separately, the board heard last week from teachers, parents and students involved with the Able Learner program for gifted students, which will be reduced because of the district’s budget cuts. They urged board members to restore funding for the program.

Teacher Sharon Sell, who is retiring, acknowledged the budget realities. “The time is tough,” she said. “I know that.” But she asked the school board to remember the kids in the program. “That’s all I ask for, is a piece of the pie.”

– Nina Culver