By Shelby Stewart
Staff Writer
Brandon Twp.- At the Jan. 15 meeting, the board of education approved 7-0 a request for proposal for transportation in regards to busing. The board will be seeking possible outsourcing as a way to save funds for the district since enrollment continues to decline.
Then at a special school board meeting on Jan. 29 several district parents expressed concerns regarding the possible outsourcing of the bus drivers.
The bid proposal will be posted on Michiganbids.us.
“What the board is looking at is what the cost savings would be,” said superintendent Dr. Matt Outlaw. “Eight of the people are at retirement age right now. They can retire or they can go work for that company.”
Outlaw and the board went on to explain that nothing is currently set in stone and they are only looking for bids on a contract, but the bus drivers wouldn’t have to leave, they would be able to work for another company and continue driving school buses for Brandon.

Pat Pierce, is the union steward for Teamsters Local #214 representing 14 district bus drivers and two mechanics. Due to downsizing the members have declined from about 32 in 2010.
“We’re concerned for the safety of the students,” said Pierce, a 22 year veteran district bus driver. “The private companies don’t always have good driving records. Here in Brandon we travel a lot of rough back roads, many with homes that have long driveways. We strive to make sure the students arrived home safe.”
The school district tried to privatize the bus drivers back in 2010 under the direction of then superintendent Lorrie McMahon, but the school board struck a deal with them instead and approved a tentative agreement with the Teamsters Union 214.
“I’ve lived in this community for 28 years and my children attend and are attending Brandon Schools,” she said. “We know the students and they know us—we get invited to their graduation parties. I also know my students by name.”
“Information about the private companies was presented to the board back then,” she said. “In addition, the new drivers now coming into the district are at a lower wage, without a pension or health benefits— that has saved the district a lot of money over the years.”
Pierce said the board reported eight drivers are ready to retire.
“Actually it’s just four drivers—not eight,” she said. “They needs to let us start what we finished and retire here, those that can.”
Other area districts have considered and implemented outsourcing.
“Just keep in mind that in the entire state, the district most similar to Brandon right now is Goodrich,” said Outlaw. “Goodrich has outsourced transportation.”
In 2013 the Goodrich Board of Trustees voted 5-1 outsourcing 15 bus drivers for the district. School officials said the drivers had the opportunity to apply for the jobs with Michigan Educational Transportation Services who won the bid. The compensation was the same at $17.84 per hour and 20 to 25 hours per week. The district savings result from less retirement costs, F.I.C.A. (Federal Insurance Contributions Act), and workers compensation.
Outlaw is looking for similar savings.
“The savings came from retirement and from benefits,” he said. “This board has dug so deep into cuts, everything has to be on table.”
According to the 2014 Michigan School Privatization Survey, conducted by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy—24 percent of districts in the state outsource with school bus contractors.
“When we looked at surrounding districts, we’re one of the few districts left in the area that offers full family for transportation, it’s just not done in other districts anymore,” said Janice Meek, executive director of business services at Brandon.
Multiple citizens expressed their concern for the safety of the students on back roads and high traffic areas.
“It struck fear in our schools about losing our bus drivers,” said Andrea Austin, a district parent at the board’s special meeting of Jan. 29. “Serious fear in our hearts.”