Hearing to address Elizabeth Forward bus standoff

Elizabeth Forward School District officials hope a court hearing Tuesday afternoon will end the district’s standoff with its transportation provider, but it’s still uncertain whether students will be able to get on a bus when school starts Thursday.

If the hearing does not go well, officials may delay the start of the school year, Superintendent Todd E. Keruskin said in a letter to parents Monday.

The hearing in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. to address the district’s lawsuit against Pennsylvania Coach Lines Lines, Keruskin said in a letter.

The district filed an injunction Thursday against Pennsylvania Coach Lines, also known as PA Coach.

According to the district, PA Coach informed officials on Aug. 2 that it would not transport Elizabeth Forward students in the upcoming school year, despite being contracted to do so.

PA Coach David Sunstein told the Trib Monday that the district had failed to negotiate a new contract.

The district’s contract with PA Coach expired June 30. Voting records showed the school board approved a new four-year contract in October.

Sunstein also said the district owes PA Coach more than $1 million for past services as of last December.

There are nearly 2,350 students in the district who will be without transportation if the issue is not resolved.

In Monday’s letter to parents, Keruskin said officials don’t yet know whether they will need to delay the start of school.

Updates will be posted on the district’s website www.efsd.net, it’s Facebook page and Keruskin’s Twitter account.