Maumee to continue busing to high school

12/9/2008

The Maumee Board of Education voted 3-2 yesterday against the proposed elimination of high school busing next month.

Board members recently discussed making the cut as a result of a failed 5.9-mill levy. Voters on Nov. 4 rejected the request for an operating levy that would have generated $2.9 million a year.

Superintendent Greg Smith asked the board before the vote to reject the idea because the cancellation of bus service was not presented to voters as a consequence of a failed November levy.

Board member Glenn Rambo moved to suspend bus service for high school students, with only board President Stephanie Piechowiak joining his vote in support.

Kris Roan, the parent of two Maumee schools alumni, said afterward she was pleased the board will share the fiscal consequences of the next levy before axing student services.

Voters should ask themselves "are they willing to push the button to eliminate all these things or dig a little deeper," Ms. Roan said.

Had high school busing been eliminated, district officials said it would have saved about $33,000 if implemented for the remainder of the school year, and $54,000 annually after that.

Without new funding, the Maumee schools budget could post a deficit of $219,215 in June, 2010, according to district estimates.