City school board, oversight committee at odds over transportation plans

YOUNGSTOWN — The state fiscal oversight commission controlling Youngstown City School District finances is at odds with the city school board over a plan to seek consultant services for student transportation.

The commission voted this morning to “disapprove” a school board resolution authorizing a request for proposals for those services, saying the RFP is too broad and needs to concentrate on specific areas related to computer software outlined in a state performance audit of the district.

School board members are questioning the commission’s authority to prevent the district from issuing the RFP as proposed.

Anthony Catale, school board president, said the commission clearly has authority over expenditures and contracts, but the RFP is neither. It’s simply a request for services the district hopes will reduce transportation costs, and it’s not binding on the district in any way, he said. The board can reject any or all proposals, he said.

The district is spending about $5 million a year on student transportation.

For the full story, read Friday’s Vindicator or vindy.com.