Buses overheat committee session

WESTFALL — Charges of unfair labor practices arose at a transportation committee meeting of the Delaware Valley School Board on Tuesday. Timothy Krise, vice president of Krise Bus Service, presented to the board a cost analysis of the district’s current bus routes, including those run by the district and its ten employees. Krise said if his company were to take over all of the runs, based on 2008-2009 school year figures, he could save the district $26,152, what he and support services staff referred to as a very “conservative” number. Board solicitor Michael Weinstein said he had “major concerns” about what was being presented because it could be considered “malicious interference of contractual obligations” since the district is already under contract with its employees. Weinstein said unless Krise would indemnify the school district and assume all liability for potential lawsuits, the board should not consider what was before them. Krise would not submit to the terms. The union of the school district drivers was present at the meeting and said the activity was illegal. Matt Gruenloh, a Pennsylvania State Education Association representative, reiterated that by even entertaining such a proposal violated labor law because it put unfair pressure on the union, whose contract does not expire until the 2010-2011 school year. In response to the notion the presentation was instead an analysis, Gruenloh said, “I find it incredible that this is based on 08-09 numbers and it’s not considered a proposal,” he said. Board member Diane French responded that she was “really surprised” that the union “would rather bankrupt the district than work with us.” French said, “We’re all in this together to save money for the taxpayers.” Contrarily, Deb DuCharme asserted, “They may be a union, but they are our employees. I for one will honor our contract.” Ed Silverstone advised the union to “calm down” until there was some sort of action by the board. Krise said that he was asked at a previous transportation meeting to report the cost analysis and did not “just walk off the street” looking to take away union jobs. About 10 district jobs would be in question if changes were made. Board president Bob Goldsack earlier reported that the committee session had been postponed once, because Krise was having difficulty getting district records to prepare his presentation. “There’s been a lot of flack about it,” Goldsack admitted. Board member John Wroblewski raised the issue of lap belts and strobe lights on school buses, which was discussed for the remainder of the meeting.