By Howard Packowitz

The Unit 5 School Board is fed up with the performance of bus service provider, First Student.

While not taking a formal vote, the board Wednesday night directed administrators to start the process of putting the lucrative transportation contract up for bid in time for the next school year.

Board members said First Student has shown some improvement the past couple weeks, but after seven years with the district, there shouldn’t be chronic problems with late buses, a shortage of drivers and communication breakdowns.

“One of the things we did very clearly say to them in the beginning, and then again three years ago, was somebody needs to be there manning the phones, responding when people are calling because they’re looking for the bus, or they’re looking for their child,” Mickens-Baker said.

“When those calls are going unanswered, that’s a parent who’s still just not knowing what to do,” Mickens-Baker added.

The district is paying the company $9.2 million this year, according to Unit 5 Business Manager Marty Hickman.

Hitchins said First Student can submit a bid, but the company might be at a disadvantage.

“We informed them that their response to the performance challenges that we have been facing so far this year will have an impact on whether or not we can consider them,” said Hitchins.

The district’s lawyer, Curt Richardson, said the board does not have to accept the lowest responsible bidder. Quality of service can be another factor.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]