Highlands delays busing vote under pressure to keep Roenigk

Highlands School Board has postponed choosing a busing company from two bidders for the district’s transportation contract, while facing immense pressure to keep its long-time provider.

The school board appeared set to vote Monday on approving a five-year agreement with ABC Transit. It would replace WL Roenigk, which Highlands has used for its entire existence.

Board member Michelle Peters, who is on the transportation committee with board member Jeff Mundy, moved to table the vote. Her motion was approved on an 8-0 vote, with Mundy abstaining because she previously worked for both Roenigk and ABC.

Peters said the school board will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, to vote on the transportation contract.

Roenigk and ABC were the only two companies to respond to the district’s request for proposals. The district has not disclosed any details about the proposals.

In its 2019-20 preliminary budget, the district is budgeting about $2.4 million for student transportation services.

The district’s current contract with Roenigk ends June 30.

Highlands was one of 19 school district state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale criticized in 2016 for not seeking bids for transportation.

DePasquale said audits found the districts were collectively spending $54.8 million more on transportation than state reimbursement provided, money that otherwise could have been spent on education.

DePasquale’s audit said Highlands spent $3.4 million over the state transportation formula in the 2008-09 to 2011-12 school years.

Pat Roenigk, an attorney and shareholder in the company that serves 25 districts, said the audit does not truly reflect what the company charges Highlands.

“Every W.L. Roenigk bill that came to Highlands was rolled into that number. The state reimbursement has nothing to do with field trips and aides on the buses,” she said. “That number does not reflect what W.L. Roenigk was paid for reimbursable expenses, getting kids to and from school.

“Highlands is not being overcharged by Roenigk.”

Gary Miller, a spokesman for DePasquale, said the auditor general’s office stands by its audit observation. No one, including the school district, has disputed it, he said.

State law does not require school districts to get competitive bids for busing, which DePasquale has called on lawmakers to change.

“Soliciting bids helps districts try to keep busing costs as close as possible to the state reimbursement level, which reduces the burden on local taxpayers who must pay the difference,” Miller said Tuesday. “If districts don’t shop around, how would they know if they might save money?”

Residents and Roenigk employees on Monday filled a meeting room at the high school. They questioned the safety of ABC Transit, cited Roenigk’s long tenure with the district and the relationships that its drivers have with students and their families in calling on the board to keep Roenigk no matter the cost.

Some also questioned Mundy’s involvement in the process.

ABC Vice President Todd O’Shell said he would not respond to the safety and other accusations made against his company. An ABC representative was not present at the meeting.

This is the first time that the Hampton-based company has made a proposal to Highlands, O’Shell said. The company has garages in Harmar, Etna, Shaler, the North Hills and Harmony. School districts served by ABC include Fox Chapel, Shaler, North Hills, Riverview, Seneca Valley, Pittsburgh Public Schools, Shadyside Academy and part of Hampton.

“We’re well established in the districts that we service and provide them with quality, safe service,” O’Shell said.

If Highlands awards the contract to ABC, O’Shell said ABC would attempt to hire Roenigk’s drivers in Highlands and keep them on the same runs for consistency. That would be subject to school district approval.

Pat Roenigk said 15 Roenigk drivers signed a letter to Highlands School Board saying they do not want to drive for ABC, and that additional drivers submitted their own letters.