Youngstown schools look to save on busing costs

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown school board’s business committee is examining a pupil transportation proposal that a contractor said could save the district $1 million a year in busing costs.

The proposal comes from Community Bus Services Inc. of Youngstown which is seeking renewal of the special needs busing contract it already has with the district.

Youngstown pays CBS about $2.2 million a year to transport about 700 special needs children from their homes directly to school and back. Special needs children might be handicapped, medically fragile or have some other need for special transportation consideration.

Youngstown also spends about $3.3 million a year to transport 4,500 pupils on its regular routes.

CBS’ current contract ends June 30, and, in exchange for a new five-year agreement, the company is offering to assist the school district with all of its pupil transportation programs, guaranteeing it can save Youngstown $1 million a year in the process.

Read more in Thursday’s Vindicator and at vindy.com