By Howard Packowitz

NORMAL – A Unit 5 school board member is scolding managers of the company running the buses for the district because of communication breakdowns with parents.

At Wednesday night’s board meeting, member Mike Trask said he understands not everything goes smoothly at the start of school year. However, he said communication has been a constant struggle for bus contractor First Student.

“I get upset just because we’ve had issues in the past, and I don’t want to see it get to that point,” said Trask.

“We’re not near where it was two years, or three, or whenever it’s been. I feel the frustration of the parents,” Trask said.

First Student Area General Manager Chris Coyle acknowledged communication is a challenge, but he said it’s getting better, as the company sorts through 955 route changes, due in part to late registration and address changes.

“You still have a high volume of calls at times, typically when buses are out there, they’re delayed because of students being put on the wrong bus, or trying to find lost students. We’re still seeing some of that, but it is considerably less than what it was in the first week,” Coyle said.

Board President Barry Hitchins, and members Alan Kalitzky and Meta Mickens-Baker also expressed concerns about First Student’s performance. Mickens-Baker urged managers to put themselves in the minds of the students, many of whom feel anxious at the start of the school year. It’s like running late for a job interview, Mickens-Baker said.

Trask noted the school system is paying First Student a lot of taxpayer dollars to do a job that can’t be done in-house. If problems persist, Trask suggested the district might not renew First Student’s contract.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]