AKRON, Ohio — After months of intense discussion at school board meetings, Akron Public Schools has finally approved a transportation plan for students with special needs and those experiencing homelessness.
"It's been a little bumpy road, but we're all hanging on," Shannon Bolinger, an APS parent whose son and grandson both qualify for transportation services, told 3News.
The Board of Education unanimously approved the district's transportation strategy for about 1,200 students Monday night at a special meeting. The plan utilizes independent van drivers — also known as independent contract operators (ICOs) — as well as Akron-based transportation company Templeton Transportation LLC.
The vote followed more than 90 minutes of discussion where board members questioned the language used in the resolution recommending the approval of a transportation contract with Templeton, a company that provided what the district called the "most responsible/responsive bid" during the Request For Proposal (RFP) process.
PREVIOUS PLAN REJECTED
In June, the board voted down a resolution for APS to enter exclusively into a contract with Templeton, which would have ended the district's relationship with ICOs. The following month, the board unanimously tabled a resolution that once again included Templeton due to legal concerns.
At Monday night's meeting, APS' legal counsel provided analysis concluding the district did not violate the law or the RFP process by considering the Templeton contract. The board approved the plan 5-0 after language was added clarifying that Templeton could only be used when there was a lack of independent drivers to complete routes.
Board members Carla Jackson and Dr. Rene Molenaur were not present to cast a vote.
"We love our van drivers," Bolinger said. "They really take care of our kids. … They know them, they know our families, too. You really have a close relationship when you have children with disabilities with the people who provide the services."
Brandy Vickers, a spokesperson for the van drivers, released the following statement after the vote:
"We are grateful to the APS school board for listening and taking our concerns serious, asking the tough questions to gain clarity on the situation. We still firmly stand on our statements that the independent van drivers can handle the demand of transporting our students without assistance from an outside company. Even though it was not 100% our desired outcome we are committed to make sure we transport our APS children safely to and from school each day."
THE NEED FOR MORE INDEPENDENT DRIVERS
According to the district, there are currently 112 drivers signed up to drive on independent contracts, down from 143 last year. Five of the 112 are substitute drivers.
For the 2024-25 academic year, APS anticipates 210 routes servicing students requiring van transportation by law, including those with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and children experiencing housing instability. The district is working to recruit more independent drivers to fill the gap.
Vickers says she and other independent drivers are committed to referring people to apply to increase the number of drivers.
The district's plan of utilizing drivers on independent contracts and Templeton will cost an estimated $4.1 million, down from the $7.1 million the district spent on ICOs and two certified transportation vendors during the 2023-24 school year. Classes at APS begin on August 29.
