Kiski Area board outlines months‑long negotiations and defends move toward Myers Transportation amid driver backlash

Kiski Area School District officials on Monday detailed a months‑long negotiation over the district's transportation contract and recommended pursuing a lower‑cost proposal from Myers Transportation, prompting vocal public opposition from drivers and Smith Bus representatives.

Superintendent Dr. Lauer said the district's objective was to "continue to provide safe and reliable transportation to our students, but also protecting the financial interests of the taxpayers of this community." He told the board the incumbent contractor, Smith Bus Company, submitted a proposal with increases as high as 24% on the district's most‑used full‑size buses and an overall average that approached 18% in year one. "When the actual proposals are placed side by side and compared to the actual bus runs … the proposal from Myers Transportation is less expensive significantly for the taxpayers of this community," he said.

Business manager Mr. Roberto presented the district's timeline and comparative analysis, tracing the procurement steps from a December 15, 2025 proposal development through multiple vendor meetings in February and March. Roberto said Smith Bus’s revised offer reflected an average increase of about 17.5% and that Myers’ initial proposal averaged roughly 16.4% in year one; a later Myers 10‑year offer included fuel…