Local school‑bus contractor urges board to resume direct talks on extracurricular rates after months of delay

During public comment at the Aug. 11 meeting, Stephanie Windecker of Porter Township, owner of Windecker Enterprises and described in the public record as the districtprimary school‑bus contractor, asked the board for direct engagement after months of stalled talks about raising rates for extracurricular and non‑routine transportation services.

Windecker said she and a second contractor, Cam Kephart of Susquehanna Transit, opened conversations with district administrators about rate increases “18 months” earlier but have received limited response and were told the board was not currently receptive. She said the contractors provided documentation and monthly follow‑up but had not received substantive feedback since the board’s last meeting; she told members she had been asked by administrators to negotiate directly with district staff rather than with the board but said the lack of communication had persisted.

“As primary school bus contractor for the district, my comments this evening are concerning the issue of time,” Windecker said. “It is time for the parts and pieces that make this entire district be heard, be respected, and be compensated fairly.” She described four generations of her family providing transportation in the Pine Creek Valley and said the company knows rural routes and responses when technology fails.

Windecker asked the board to resume timely conversations and suggested district recognition that contractors need clear, direct communication to finalize service agreements. The superintendent and board did not take action during the meeting; Windecker said she expected follow‑up.