Board approves routing resolution as Buckeye Logistics begins district service; board seeks written routing details

Brandy Vickers of Buckeye Logistics addressed the board on July 28 to thank Akron Public Schools for selecting Buckeye Logistics and Transit as the district’s primary transportation provider and to highlight the company’s commitment to local hiring and equity. “To now be entrusted with the safety and care of Akron's children on a district‑wide scale is both humbling and deeply meaningful,” Vickers told the board during the public‑comment portion.

The board then considered and approved a set of transportation resolutions that will allow staff to construct and publish bus routes for the 2025–26 school year. Superintendent Outley and transportation staff told members that the resolutions authorize staff to create routes in Transfinder and that the routes will be made public and parents notified once routing is complete. The district stated it performed an enrollment rollover in mid‑June and is routing based on current enrollment data.

Nut graf: The meeting combined a ceremonial public comment by Buckeye Logistics with formal board action authorizing transportation routing and contracts. Board members pressed staff for written route details, clarifications about which vendors will serve students, and how parent transport (payment‑in‑lieu) will be handled.

Board discussion and votes: Member Harrison criticized approving routing before the routes were publicly available but staff explained state timing requirements: routing resolutions can be brought within 30 days before school start. Member Harrison said she preferred to see finalized routes; staff replied that approval is required now so routes and parent notices can be issued in time. Member Molnar and others requested formal written guidance on Ohio High School Athletic Association rules for students from other schools who wish to swim with Firestone (sports eligibility question arose during the transportation discussion).

Staff briefed the board on the vendors expected to provide service. The vendors named in discussion were Metro (public transit passthrough), Peterman, Yellow Bus Services, Buckeye Logistics (primary), and Templeton (secondary). Staff said Buckeye currently has the primary student listing and that Templeton’s contract is complete; a meeting with Buckeye was scheduled the day after the meeting. On parent‑transport contracts (payment in lieu), staff said they will produce a detailed list for the board at the board’s second August meeting; payment in lieu checks are issued at the end of the school year after eligibility is confirmed.

Ending: The board approved the transportation resolutions with recorded roll calls (see Votes at a glance). Staff committed to providing the full routed stops in Transfinder and written policies on eligibility and parent contracts. Members urged prompt public posting to ensure families get bus‑stop notifications before school starts.