The time is drawing near for a decision. (next Monday) Here are some links for your curiosity. This is one of the many times that I am thankful that I am not on the school board !!!
Please reply here with your thoughts or contact your board member, whichever side you are on. You can be guaranteed that the Union, employees and some "nervous" parents are... Only ~5 days and counting.
Board Contact Info
TC Daily Planet Nearing Vote
CBS Parents Fight Privatization
Channel 12 Vote on March 5th
Sun Sailor Save $2.4 million in first yr
Sun Sailor Take a close look at figures
Sun Sailor Keep current system
Star Tribune Green Up Buses
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8 comments:
Seems like the whole argument ought to boil down to this: If I can buy something that is the SAME or BETTER and save a couple million bucks doing it, why in the world would I not? The union, of course, wants to argue that private bus service isn't the same. Seems to me the burden of proof is on them, if due diligence by the Board establishes that, as far as can be known, the private service is up to snuff.
J. Ewing
They are trying as you saw in some of the links.
An interesting side discussion. Robbinsdale did not have a snow day when Hopkins, Wayzata and Osseo did. I wonder if next weeks vote figured into the decision in any way? It is interesting how the mind works.
So let's take the Union discussion where Hiram says that weakening of Unions is causing the decline of the middle class and test it against this bus dilemna.
For simplicity, let's assume that both RAS Transportation and First Student will provide similar service, quality and safety. Now let's assume a savings of $500K due to lower Bus Driver compensation, benefits of scale, less administration, etc.
This means that the bus drivers and middle mgmt are loosing the majority of the cash. Which is a bummer for them.
However it also, means that RAS does not have to pay out this cash. Which means tax payers will not have to pay this amount.
So which is better or worse for the community? Is it better for the community to have a some employees paid more than market rate or is it better to have the taxes reduced for all?
Remember, First Student will need to pay market rate or they won't have any drivers.
Having been at several board meetings where the union spoke, I think we may have another situation where the rank and file are not being well served by their union leaders. The latter speak well but seem to have an all or nothing position. They even proposed bringing back some unscheduled contracted runs in house, to somehow save money for the district. How they expect to win if outsourcing is $10 million less over 4 years? Even if First Student is low-balling as charged, even half those savings cannot be ignored by a responsible Board.
Speed,
Was that $10 million based on expenses as they normally would have been?
Or $10 million above the $700K/yr in reductions proposed by the Drivers and Transportation mgmt?
I was thinking it was the former. (ie $2.8 mil vs $10 mil in savings) {differential of $7.2 mil over 4 yrs}
Either way I probably should have used ~$2 mil/yr rather than $500K/yr in my question?
$10 million included some capital replacement costs. It wasn't clear why in or out sourcing mattered here but I'll take District's word for it. Not clear is what happens to the garage/property south of ESC. Sell? To FirstStudent? Lease? New Target Store :)?
Since my Liberal readers are not answering, I'll give a shot at voicing what I believe they believe. (using $1 mil/yr)
I, a Liberal, believe that it is right and proper that RAS keeps the bus servive inside and continues to pay the drivers somewhat more than market rates. And I believe that the additional $1 million/yr should come directly from the wealthiest 5% of Minnesota citizens who are not paying their fair share.
If the $1 million has to come from Local taxes, then I am not sure ??? Because then the money is being taken from the poor to middle class, and given to the poor and middle class... Oh this is too hard...
Thoughts?
It's official. Board voted 5-2 at March 5 Board Meeting to outsource, to First Student. Bassett, Walsh voted no.
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