Akron Public Schools is moving forward with a previously contentious plan that would replace about 140 independently contracted van drivers with a single company. The drivers provide transportation for special needs and homeless students across the district.
The request for proposals, which formally opens Friday, March 7, was long promised by Superintendent Michael Robinson after previous attempts were met with protests from the independent van drivers and consternation by board members.
“Akron Public Schools is dedicated to providing our students with safe and efficient transportation to and from school,” said Debra Foulk, the executive director of business affairs, in a press release. “We are looking for partners who share our commitment to student well-being and who can contribute to our mission of educational excellence.”
For weeks last year, the fate of more than 140 independent van drivers was debated during school board meetings after the district put out a call for a single vendor to take over the service. The district’s proposal to hire Templeton Transportation LLC was voted down during a fiery school board meeting in August.
Administrators at the time did not shelve the idea of reopening the bidding process for a single contractor for 2025-26.
Van driver is forming company to make a bid
Brandy Vickers, the de facto spokesperson for the independent van drivers during the dispute, has been working behind the scenes for months to form a company in anticipation of the district’s announcement. Vickers said she expects to add her new enterprise to the list of vendors the board will consider.
“At this time, we are prepared to respond to Akron Public Schools’ request of having an entity,” Vickers told Signal Akron. “Our entity is structured to help continue the support of the independent van drivers, but more importantly the students and families of our Akron community that we have served over the last 54 years. Our mission is simple: ‘Safe journeys, bright futures.’”
Interested companies can submit a bid through the Public Purchase website. Bids should include the proposal submission form, a detailed business plan, a list of references and company information. Prospective vendors must also have a valid employer identification number.
The deadline for submission is 11 a.m. on April 4.