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Board approves $6,064 video production contract 5–2 after debate over cost
Summary
Unionville‑Chadds Ford board approved a video production contract with the CCIU (not to exceed $6,064.13) to support bus‑driver recruitment after a 5–2 vote; two board members said they would vote no on the cost, while supporters cited urgent transportation staffing strains.
The Unionville‑Chadds Ford School District board on Aug. 19 approved a contract with the Chester County Intermediate Unit to produce a recruitment video intended to help hire bus drivers, but the item drew visible dissent from some board members.
Miss Lemus presented the communications item, asking the board to approve a CCIU video production contract that would accompany work by VIA Media, with a not‑to‑exceed cost of $6,064.13. Speaker 5 (Mr. Schartz) said he would again vote against the contract, noting he did not "see the value in approving $10,000" and similarly did not see value in $16,000 (a prior figure referenced in discussion). Doctor Baratta reminded the room that a contract must ultimately be approved by a majority of the full nine‑member board, not only by the seven present that evening.
Speaker 6 defended the expenditure, saying that after riding the new electric bus and hearing from the district’s mechanics and the director of transportation, the shortage of bus drivers imposed a significant hardship on mechanics who must sometimes run routes, taking them away from fleet maintenance. "While $16,000 is not insignificant, I do think that it's imperative that we do everything we can in order to fully staff our transportation department," the speaker said.
The board voted to approve the video production contract 5–2. Chair comments after the vote reiterated the procedural point that full‑board approval thresholds remain relevant for contract ratification.
The item concludes with the district directing Communications and Transportation staff to proceed with video production under the approved contract cap; the board record includes the vote tally and the dissenting reasons for future accountability.
