Citizens for Accountability in D15 Clears the Air

In response to mass emails, press coverage, and citizens who addressed the Board at the 12/12/12 Board meeting, we are presenting the following facts regarding the Board's vote to proceed with the bid process for transportation services.

Important Note: Citizens for Accountability has not taken a position. There is much data gathering and discussion that will take place before the Board makes a decision as to whether to keep the driving in-house or to outsource. District 15 is planning to keep the buses and maintain them in-house.

The following facts are important for the community to know:

• At the 12/12/12 Board meeting, the only action the Board planned and completed was to take a vote on whether to gather data in light of the District 15 Transportation Union (DTU) contract expiring in 2013. In order for the Board to work competently as our community representatives, they must get information and the only way to do this is through the bid process.

• According to state law, if a change is made to a private vendor, all current employees must be considered for employment by a new transportation company for their current positions at their current salary and benefit levels.

• These employees and any future hires would continue to be subject to criminal background investigations and training requirements consistent with the District's current policies. Safety regulations are heavily regulated by state and federal mandates - regardless of how a school district's transportation system is structured.

• The recently elected Board members, along with President Millar, have made every effort to be transparent with the community. All meeting dates, agendas, documents, board briefs and recordings of each monthly meeting are available on the District's web site. 

• When the President of the DTU addressed the Board, she indicated she had been aware since last May the Board wanted to know more about outsourcing. The vote being on the agenda was not a surprise to Citizens for Accountability and it should not have been a surprise to anyone else.

The DTU contract is available on the District web site: www.ccsd15.net under 'Services'. Select 'Personnel and Human Services', then click on 'Negotiated Agreements' from the right side to view the list of contracts. 

It is critical for our community to deal in the facts, to not fall prey to fear and emotion, and look to the motivation of those spreading misinformation. 

If you have any questions, please email us at contact@d15citizens.org.

Our web site is www.d15citizens.org.