When you make a $100,000.00 investment to purchase a School Bus and then only get a 1 year contract with the County, what Bank is going to back such a contract/investment? Drivers would like to see a 5 year contract instead.
There are only three weeks left before the school year begins and these bus drivers/owners do NOT have a contract. In fact, John Fredricksen is playing more games with them than these drivers are willing to accept.
T.J. Maloney represented this group last night in yet another emotional and dramatic presentation of just what these drivers are up against. Council President Gail Bartgovich stated she'd make every attempt to hold a meeting with Mr. Fredericksen before Monday to try to straighten out their differences.
I'll allow comments to finish telling the story here because it wouldn't be fair to give off my personal opinion. I expect the comments to skyrocket on this one, so keep your eyes on the comments.
42 comments:
The contracts are automatically renewed annually and I cannot think of a contract that was not renewed unless there were underlying issues.
If T.J. Maloney is representing them, then their motives sure aren't pure. His client list is a who's who of the worst of the worst slumlords in town, yet he couldn't even get his candidate elected mayor while breaking every election law in the book. Why would bus drivers associate themselves with this man?
What sayeth BOE president Michelle Wright on this? Why does Gail B have to schedule the meeting with Fredericksen instead of the BOE board?
I say we should go back to the good old days - and require all people who decide to have children to require them to furnish their own transportation.
The baby boomers are now getting old and are tired of having to prop-up a failed educational system - especially when they are being saddled with the responsibility of furnishing education for hordes and hordes of illegal immigrant children - (case-in-point Prince Street school district).
That's why I'm in favor of charter schools and/or private education.
These guys driving the buses make very good money for the hours worked. A 1 year contract is all I would recommend too. They have had this on their plate for years , so , suck it up , the economy is poor and nobody wants to hear about this kind of crap anyway. If they afford to pay , then they can't afford play. I guess this is another , "for the children" , or " no child left behind".
11:08 This WAS presented to the BOE board memebers last year and we got no where with them!
Their choice of representation aside,I empathize with the bus contractors.They deal with crazy drivers,misbehaving kids and DOT regulations so in my opinion they earn every dollar they make.For those who think they make too much money....do you have any inkling on how much a bus costs in terms of maintenance?Tires,fuel,etc?Not to mention all the MVA fees and other little things that add up.
To blutojthetotmom:
In times when our nation is demoralized, broke, in-debt up to the gazoo, over run with illegals, sometimes you have to do what you have to do to survive.
I say let the parents provide for their transportation. As for myself and my wife - we elected not to have kids so why should we be saddled with the debt.
There should be a fee for the bus service.
R.I.P. Mr Fleming, we put you through to much thats for sure.
1200 there is a fee for the bus service, its called the taxes I pay in as well as everyone else who pays taxes. Get rid of all the wasted money at the top i.e. take home board of ed cars and unneeded positions and god knows what other outright waste there is then when all that is taken care of we can talk about a fee for the school bus.
Also, if the kids are illegals in the country kick their A$$ES out why shold we have to pay for all the a$$hole illegals kids when they are clearly breaking the law
I believe going to the bargaining table isn't a bad thing. However, the bus drivers need to understand that they work in the best intrest of the CHILDREN. They are responsible for safely transporting children every day. Anything that doesn't fit with that goal shouldn't be supported by EITHER side.
Because most of them were born here and that can not be changed unless the constitution is amended. The imigration problem will be the straw that breaks the camels back.
12:35
Most of the kids are not illegals they are anchor babies. Their parents are the illegal ones. How much extra are they really costing us? We have to teach most of them english, they will have to have someone translate to the parents that don't speak english. Oh dont forget about the free breakfast and lunch we provide for them along with food stamps and free health care. Sorry bus drives you will have to wait.. we have illegals to deal with.
12:35 you hit the nail on the head with that one!!!! It makes me sick to think about how much money we are spending on illegals that do not belong here.
Someone just needs to put that jerk Holloway in his place. I wish there were more owner operators out there that care about more their job.
I believe the true reason as to why the school bus contractors are only getting a year to year contract is that they have not been certified by the MSTU - (Maryland State Teachers Union).
You see they must get theirs first and foremost before any others. You can bet their powerful lobby has seen to it - and so they have been placed to the very top of the totem pole.
Contract thats a joke there's no contract because its all one side involving on party not 2
Bus Contractors or bus drivers are no affillated with any union
How do the bus drivers make good money, nothing in 2 years
If you don't think the bus drivers deserve what the are paid. Ask to ride with them for a day. Then post your blog!!!
Yes, the teacher and administrator unions have to get theirs second. First are the central office directors who only respect and protect themselves.
The biggest problem with this bus system is the transportation deparment, only one person in there knows whats going on and the bus drivers respect him. Wake up board staff your wrong for treating the way you do and you know it Dave
Is'nt this an ongoing problem with the school bus contractors since Dave Reeves came here. Wake up Superintendent, Asst. Superintendent Board members and transportation, and whom ever else to be involved. You are all aware of these issues and you all have done nothing and now the Bus Contractors hire a lawyer and all you do is lie and bring in a totally different story to surface to make you look good,that your issuse is GPS system. Were talking respect and the games you are trying to play. Get a life and treat folks the way you wish to be treated.
Pretty common outfit for school bus contractors to hire a lawyer for assinine reasons and games being played by the BOE. Who are these people to tell the contractors they are igorant, shut up and sit down. This is just a few I've been told but this BOE needs a good cleaning out starting right to the top on down. Let's not talk about all this money the transportation dept. waste on dinners and games among theirselves mainly 2 and you know whom you are.
I hear you spent 200.000.00 on a gps system and know legally you can't place them on private property. Mention the fact that the cost per year for the office to babysit the buses will be 234.00 per bus. Lets talk about all the people in transportation full time and 1 contractual and half the time no one is in the office. 10 years ago there were 148 routed school buses and 3 people ran the deparment and did one hell of a job, now 136 buses and 7 1/2 people can't do it. Wake up people theres something wrong with this picture
I'm a concerned parent, My children have the best bus driver who is always on time and run a stright shift with no playing and fighting on her bus. I would like to see this all cleared up before August 30 when school starts so my children will be able to ride the school bus and see their leader.
Let's ask some questions. How much does the boe give each driver eaach year for the bus they bought. I think like seven grand a year for ten years. Where do they rank in pay with other shore drivers. Pretty high. Last time they had a sit in on contract, did any one give up their contract. No. They make good money four a four hour a day job.
1:19
Which Mr. Holloway are you calling a jerk?
They are one is a very fine gentleman in the transportation businessand the other, while a little rough around the edges, does a whale of a job looking out for the taxpayers. They're both good guys.
11:57: Assuming you aren't a criminal, maybe you can opt out of paying for a police force and a jail since you don't directly utilize those services either? It's called being a member of society.If you don't want to pay taxes, then move to some third world country.
Charter schools and private education would not eliminate the necessity of providing transportation for students. What about parents who don't own a car or parents who have to work? Guess their kids are out of luck? Lots of 'got mine don't want to share' attitude on the shore. Sad really. Someone else's taxes paid for your education, not it's your turn to pay for the next generation.
As a parent I find this very sad on behalf of the BOE to treat grown ups the way they do. I as a Wicomio resident all my life salute the school bus drivers for a job well done. We whom have never walked in their shoes driving a school bus with all the passangers sitting behind us have no clue the daily routine these adults go through to complete a safe ride to and from school each day. The behavior, medical needs,parents, as well as peer presure on a daily routine, I can imagine the nerves and patience this person must have. I salute all bus drivers for a job well done and thank you.
3:07 before you spout off about not being bad for 4 hours a day maybe you should realize what all actually owning a bus entails....Several of the buses run more than 4 hours a day....special needs buses run more like 6-7 hours per day. That being said fuel, maintenance, bus payments and bus aid pay for a special needs bus all have to be factored in. After all that I can tell you there sure isn't much left over! Most of the contractors can't give their contracts up even if they wanted to before their bus is paid for. When you have a payment from 1500-2000 per month on a bus you can't just say I don't wanna do this anymore!
Reference to 6:02 Posting
Look - America is no longer American. You know those 3rd world countries that you have always heard about but have never seen. Well welcome to our new 3rd world America. Illegal immigrants, moslem shrines at ground zero, gays, lesbians - open gay/lesbian marrages.
It should come as no shock to you. Our family is now in survival mode.
Thanks so much 6:27! We as bus drivers wish there were more parents out there like you.
APPARENTLY YOU DON'T KNOW THE PRICE OF A SCHOOL BUS. THE AVERAGE COST OF A WICOMICO COUNTY SCOOLBUS IS ABOUT $92,000. YOU SAY A CONTRACTOR MAKE ALOT OF MONEY. LET'S USE WHAT THE TRANSPORTATION SAYS IS AN AVERAGE COTRACT WHICH IS $45,000/year. SO THAT CONTACTOR RECEIVES $4,500 for 10 MONTHS. HIS EXPENSES PER MONTH ARE THE FOLLOWING: $2,200 FOR BUS PAYMENT, $1,300 FOR A DRIVER, $$268 FOR EMPLOYER TAXES AND WITHHOLDINGS, $750 IN FUEL, WE HAVE NOT GOT INTO THE 3 INSECTIONS THAT EVERY BUS HAS TO GO THROUGH EVERY YEAR. THE NORMAL PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE THAT YOU HAVE TO PERFORM ON THE BUS TO KEEP YOUR WARRANTY VALID. YES WE KNOW THAT TO COUNTY IS IN A BUDGET CRUNCH. IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR IT DOESN'T COST THE COUNTY ONE PENNY. WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR A PAY RAISE WE JUST ASKING TO BE TREATED FAIRLY AND WITH SOME RESPECT NOT TO HAVE PROPOSALS AND CONTRACTS FORCED UPON US WITH OUT ANY SAY. IF YOU LOOK UP TH E WORD CONTRACT IN THE DICTIONARY YOU WILL SEE THAT IT IS AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN TWO PARTIES.
1:57 PM said, How do the bus drivers make good money, nothing in 2 years
I haven't got a raise in 3 years and I got furlough days this year and last year. You will have to learn tht just because you work for the BOE, you are not BOE. You can't rake it in like the teachers and administrators. To the person that said they don't have kids so they shouldn't have to pay. Tough sh!t. That is a civic responsibility. The kids in school today, will probably be wiping your a$$ and giving you meds when you are old. Don't you want them to know what they are doing?
7:43
you did not answer how much the boe gives you per year fir 10 years to pay for your bus. You also fogot to mention the amount of trips you take and get paid for like for field trips and sporting events that are not part of your contract. Remember you chose to take on the responsibility of being a bus contractor. You were not made to buy the bus and get the contract. So since you are an independent contractor and it is your bus. Dont drive for the boe. it is your choice.
APPARENTLY YOU CAME FROM THE SAME MOLD THAT THE TRANSPORTATION SUPERVISOR COME FROM. FIELD TRIPS IS LIKE WORKING OVERTIME. IF YOU TAKE ON A JOB AND THE ONLY WAY THAT YOU CAN BREAK EVEN ON THAT JOB WAS THAT YOU HAD TO WORK OVERTIME WHY WOULD YOU TAKE THAT JOB. AND TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION ABOUT HOW MUCH DOES THE BOARD PAY YOU FOR THE BUS IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE YEAR THE BUS WAS PUT IN SERVICE THAT IS CORRECT IT IS OUR CHOICE. SO IF EVERY CONTRACTOR TOOK YOUR ADVISE JUST GIVE THE BOARD OF EDUCATION YOUR ADVISE ON HOW TO GET 12,500 STUDENTS TO SCHOOL ON AUGUST 30th
Quit using all capital letters or your comments from here on out will be rejected.
9:43, if you are making a threat, then you can eat your bus. How are you going to pay for it if you don't take the kids to school? How much money is a bus driver paid if they put a bus in service in 2008. Just to throw out a year. Most people have not seen raises in the last couple of years. What makes you different? My child is taken to school and can be picked up, so I don't really care one way or another.
11:34 - I enjoyed reading your response and found it quite interesting as America was founded on the principles of freedom,fairness, and democracy regardless of who you were or where you came from. As you refrenced the Prince Street School Division (and correctly shared about its multiethnic population as the school has students from 26 different nationalities speaking over 30 different languages)and shared that you would prefer to see parents transport their own students. Please know that approximately 80% of the students attending the school walk to school, with the remaing students either being transported by school bus or their parents. Having establihed these facts (from WCBOE data) I am wondering the point of your posting. Given this data, and my assumption that you are suggesting that the population of 'illegal' students is strainig the transportation system, I am wondering if (a) you know that only 4 school busses transport the comparativley few students requiring transportaion and (b)that the remaining students are indeed not illegal, but natural born, US citizens who should enjoy all of the rights and prividges of citizenship.
As for the failed education piece, I can only assume that you are referring to this school (along with many other in the county and state)not passing the state tests this past year. I submit to you that it is NOT the school who has failed, but rather the society as a whole as schools are nothing more than the reflection of the surrounding communities around them. It is like holding Doctors responsible for their paitents who do not take the medicines prescribed or follow the care plans preparred for them, wondering why the patient does not get better. As for private schools, they have the luxuary of refusing students where public schools cannot do this. My son attends Prince Street School, and I work at Salisbury University, so I have access to information that others may not, and the rationale for my post is to dispell myths that many others like you share. I would like to take it one step better and ask you to volunteer at the school as you have such strong feelings regarding this. Maybe you can make a difference where the administration and teaching staff haven't, but more importantly you will be able to see the school in a different light. As the origninal posting attended to transportaion issues, costs and frankly fairness to all parties involved, it has been known for years that the bus drivers have been unfaily treated - sometimes by their own representation which is fragmented to say the least. Mr. Dave Reeve is mentioned several times, and certainly he has a job to do. I don't know if he is a burden or truly wants to help the drivers, but I can tell you from working in public schools in the past that school systems do not knowingly and routinely break the law or violate contracts as they would loose in open court - hope this provides food for thought.
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