COUDERSPORT DIRECTORS PUT BUS CONTRACT UP FOR BID
Travis Moshier Endeavor News

Coudersport Area School District busing contract for 2009-10 will be up for bid after the board opted not to extend the current contract with Krise Busing Services.

Members voted Monday night against adding five years onto the current five-year contract with Krise.

Board member Robert Benson pointed out that it was possible the next busing contract would cost the school and taxpayers more money, something that former board member Mike Heroux later echoed.

However, director Joe Lagrua said, "Mr. Krise might have the best pricing, but how do we know that when we don't have anything to compare with?"

Marcia Lagrua-Jones, Benson, Micki Brown, Scott Bruzzi and Lagrua voted in favor of the motion. Drew Robinson and Tim Watson dissented. Absent from the meeting were board members Al Barry and David Long, who had been supporting the contract extension in previous meetings.

At least two local contractors, Dan Bollhorst, who currently handles Austin Area School's busing, and Dale Anderson, who held a previous contract with Coudersport, had expressed interest in bidding.

The current contract with Krise expires following the 2008-09 school year. The board will begin seeking bids for the new contract early next year.

In other business, Lagrua questioned the payment of $25 for business cards for Mitch DeLong, hired as clerk of the works for the district's current construction projects.

"I think it's ridiculous that the taxpayer is making business cards for someone we pay $30,000," he said. Several members pointed out that Intermediate Unit Nine has a printing service that is free for participating districts.

The board approved filling three coaching positions for the 2008-09 school year. Brendon Hathaway will be the head football coach, at a salary of $4,128. Brian McCusker will be boys' varsity basketball coach for $4,105. John Sherry is the new boys' golf coach for $2,708.

The board approved the 2008-2009 Seneca Highlands Area Vocational Technical School operating budget. School Superintendent George Nuffer explained that the increase in costs for Coudersport were because of additional students attending.

The district will begin advertising for several faculty and staff positions. Four applications for superintendent of schools have been received so far. Nuffer is retiring at the end of the current school year.

The board will next meet for a work session at 7 pm Monday, April 28. Next regular meeting will be at 7 pm on May 12.