Parents and staff press board over bus‑lot conditions and DATCO contract; superintendent says district offered shuttle
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Multiple public commenters and PTAC representatives criticized bus‑parking conditions after GPS contracted DATCO; the superintendent said the district offered Havemeyer shuttle space for drivers but that the vendor or drivers declined, and noted injuries and delays linked to the lot.
Several speakers used public comment to press the board on transportation: concerns centered on 65 buses parked at Western Middle School, muddy and icy conditions, a drivers’ injury and what speakers described as unacceptable operational decisions after GPS contracted DATCO for transportation.
Frances Woonobe, PTAC facilities committee chair, said it has been 83 days since she first raised the bus‑parking issue and described unsafe conditions on the lot. PTA Council President Lisa Sylvester and others noted a CBS News story about the drivers and urged the board to have contingency plans before contract changes that affect operations.
Superintendent Dr. Jones told the board the district proposed using Havemeyer as a warm location with internet and restroom facilities and offered to shuttle drivers there each day; she said the vendor/drivers declined and acknowledged there was some miscommunication about the plan. Dr. Jones said the district had attempted mitigation and emphasized they were not indifferent to driver conditions.
Board members and the superintendent said they would continue to pursue property and facilities strategies to reduce risk and to evaluate long-term options for bus parking and transportation infrastructure.
What’s next: The district said it will continue to discuss operational options with the vendor and report back, and speakers urged a strategic plan for acquiring property for bus‑parking or other district uses.