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
-
-
Anderson man dies at Monroe Reservoir; 3 others arrested
Memorial Day weekend took a tragic turn Saturday evening as an Anderson man visiting Monroe Reservoir died. Three other Anderson men were arrested later that day following the death of Matthew Hosier, 29.
-
Getting Together: Silence not golden for this library program
Certain rules govern almost all libraries: be quiet, don’t mar the pages and absolutely no food or drinks on the premises. But a small group of patrons wait until after hours, lock themselves in the back room of the Alexandria-Monroe Public Library, eat popcorn, drink soda and loudly scoff as they watch bad movies.
-
Veteran receiving Bronze Star 68 years late
An Army veteran will be awarded a Bronze Star on Memorial Day — 68 years after he was originally supposed to receive it.
-
Memorial Day activities set
For Memorial Day weekend, here’s a list of activities to participate in.
-
Arrest Log: May 28
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.
- Conservation officers arrest Anderson boater on alcohol charge
-
What's Where: May 28
Local activities are scheduled Monday.
-
Handicapped murder convict alleges prison discrimination
Since October 2006, Donald Lock has been confined to a wheel chair because of a degenerative bone disease. He has spent time at correctional facilities throughout the state, but it wasn’t until he was transferred to Pendleton earlier this year that he said he felt his disability was ignored.
-
Arrest log: May 27
The following arrest log appears in the Sunday edition of The Herald Bulletin.
-
Parents at Little League say coach took money
Parents of the North Anderson Little League filed a complaint with police against a former coach who they say stole fundraiser money.
- More Local News Headlines
-
