When Trustee Joyce Brasington saw a $1,700 entry in Oxford Schools? accounts payable for limousine services on December 22, 2014, it raised a question.
When she inquired about the transaction at the Jan. 7 meeting, she was told that it was more than likely for driving Weiming students to the airport for Christmas break, which any cost would be covered by Weiming.
However, after a closer look at the specific entry, Brasington later received an e-mail from finance that Superintendent Dr. William Skilling forwarded to board members stating that the limo was used to transport OHS athletes to sporting events.
According to Angela Thick, the district’s communications coordinator, the district ‘occasionally employs a transportation service to bus students to events.?
‘However, this only occurs on the occasion when there is a timing conflict and all of our buses and drivers are otherwise occupied on regularly scheduled runs,? she noted. ‘The cost depends upon the details of the run.?
Thick said they do not have a contract with any one company, but have used several companies. ‘Transportation through these parties is arranged on a case-by-case basis? and the cost is taken out of the athletic budget.
To date, the athletic department has used an outside service to bus students 16 times so far this year and paid $2,775.
What is the state of Oxford’s bus fleet?
According to Thick, who worked in collaboration with Transportation Supervisor Bruce Biebuyck and staff, Oxford currently has 52 buses and is expecting two new mini-buses in the next couple weeks. The cost of the two mini buses totaled $95,578. The oldest bus in the fleet is a 1998 with 104,000 miles on it. On average, Oxford maintains their buses for 10 to 15 years.
‘Overall, we are in good shape,? Biebuyck told Thick. ‘All of our buses have passed state inspection and only one is currently in need of repairs.?
The buses are repaired in house by district bus mechanics.