Anderson Community Schools and its drivers are at odds over how much money it takes to operate a school bus for the next four years.
Nancy Farley, ACS’s director of transportation, issued a written proposal at Tuesday’s school board meeting, but bus drivers argued they hadn’t seen it before the meeting. Driver Henry Lamper took to the microphone to tell the board that the increases ACS was offering weren’t enough.
“If we don’t get a significant raise, we won’t be able to continue,” said Lamper.
ACS is offering a $4 increase per mileage per year for four years. Lamper said the drivers need a $25 increase on their base pay of $149 per day. But he said $22 would do if there was a fuel clause of $2 per gallon that ACS reimburses at the end of the year. ACS wants to offer $1.51, but Lamper said there was no way of knowing how high fuel rates will go.
The board didn’t jump into the fray at the meeting. Interim superintendent Mikella Lowe said Farley and the drivers would discuss details of the contract.
A variety of topics came up during patron comments, including the school uniform policy, which wasn’t on the agenda but the board members heard an earful.
Former board member Jean Chaille complained that there is already a dress code at ACS but is never enforced. “Why would a uniform policy be enforced?” she asked. She also said her son had brought home nothing from school concerning school uniforms. “This (the board) failed the parents,” said Chaille.
Angel Johnson said she was against the uniform policy, that it wouldn’t stop bullying. She said the current dress code should be enforced.
Bullying was another topic, and parent Dave Mason said his son was continually bullied and finally defended himself Tuesday. He said ACS has never called him about his son’s failing grades, but didn’t hesitate to pick up the phone when a fight took place. “Let’s correct this problem,” he said. “Let’s stop kids from bullying.”
“We have to teach the students there is a certain way to deal with things,” said Christina Carter, a student who claimed her sister had been bullied for years by the same girl.
Bishop Jerry Wright presented a list of signatures to the board to maintain the alternative program as is. He noted an increase in graduation rates for black males. “This is a great program for this school.”
Superintendent interviews begin next week
Anderson Community Schools board members will begin interviewing six superintendent candidates next week.
A search committee from the state’s public universities provided ACS with a list of 11 candidates, and six were taken from that.
The board wouldn’t divulge names of the candidates but did say all were from Indiana. The board’s vice president, Tobi Jones, said interim superintendent Mikella Lowe was one of the six.
Jones said the board is looking to fill the position before the end of the school year for a July 1 appointment.
Local News
11:24 p.m.: ACS, drivers wrangle over bus contract
Board to interview superintendent candidates
- Local News
-
-
Got flowers for Valentine's Day?
If you’re a wife or girlfriend reading this story, avert your eyes. This one’s for the men in your life.
-
Elwood mayor says new administration has had zero firings
Mayor Ron Arnold, who took office Jan. 1, said his administration has not fired a single employee.
-
Local churches work with Change This World
While 1.02 billion people are undernourished and 23,483 die of starvation or preventable disease per day in the world, according to Food and Agriculture statistics on Change This World’s website, there are those who are trying to make a difference by decreasing those numbers.
-
Getting Together: Anderson Symphony Orchestra seeks musical connections
Getting patrons in the proper mood for Valentine’s Day, the Anderson Symphony Orchestra delighted its audience with both classical and popular melodies of love on Saturday night. From Tchaikovsky to the Beatles, the professional musicians performed tales of love, tragedy and romance.
-
Arrest Log: Feb. 13
Arrests made by Madison County law enforcement on Saturday, based on Madison County Jail records. Charges are recommended by arresting officers, but are not final until the Madison County prosecutor reviews the case and files official charges.
-
What's Where: Feb. 13
Local meetings and activities are scheduled Monday.
-
Scott Underwood: TV section alterations on the way
Two Sundays ago, The Herald Bulletin introduced a new product called Click, replacing the TV Week section. Like TV Week, Click includes TV listings grids, sports listings and Sudoku and crossword puzzles.
-
Analysis: Exceptional voice seemed lost in Houston's excessive fame
Whitney Houston’s numerous comeback attempts never gelled into anything the public cared about.
-
Close-out sale draws shoppers before Sears leaves city
The end is near for Sears in Anderson.
-
Democrats unhappy with redrawn county districts
New County Council district lines approved late last year have drawn the ire of county Democrats who complain that the changes were made without public input.
- More Local News Headlines
-
