The Akron Public Schools’ Board of Education on Monday evening voted to reject a third-party company as its new transportation vendor — following impassioned pleas from independent van drivers who for decades have transported special needs and other students.

For now, the measure leaves the contract unfulfilled for next school year.

More than 30 independent contract operators in attendance at Monday’s meeting watched school board members vote 6-1 to reject Templeton Transportation, which APS staffers recommended as the least expensive and the best fit for the parameters of the posted request for proposal. None of the independent contractors responded to the bid request, apparently because none could meet the requirements of the request.

Several van drivers spoke at the meeting, including Brandy Vickers, who also serves as one of the group’s spokespersons. 

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For more than an hour, board members debated APS’ recommendation with Transportation Coordinator Justin Miller, Purchasing Agent Jim Leonard, Chief of Staff Angela Carter and Business Affairs Executive Director Debra Foulk.

School board member Barbara Sykes led criticism of the district’s administration. Despite independent van drivers attending multiple school board meetings, “begging for information” during the public comment periods, Sykes said she had not interfered with the administration’s process as it collected bids and determined who should transport special needs and other students next year. Sykes said she wanted the administration to have the opportunity to negotiate without board interference.

But when the administration on Monday referenced a mandate to have all drivers work for the same, insured company that was later clarified to be a recommendation — and not one in writing — Sykes said she was fed up.

“I just don’t believe they [were] telling the truth,” she said of the APS administrators. “It’s outrageous.”

Tonti Lewis, the mother of an APS student, watched from the audience. Her son, Dreyson, who has Down syndrome, uses APS van services to reach school.

She left Monday’s meeting pleased to witness the school board reject a new transportation company. 

“They got a rude awakening,” Lewis said of the administration. “I’m proud of the van drivers; they stood up and I felt comfortable.”

Troy is a lifelong resident of Richfield, graduating from Revere High School in 2019 and Kent State University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. Outside of his reporting, he enjoys serving at restaurants and learning about hospitality. He also likes longboarding on weekends and watching stand-up comedy specials.

Economics of Akron Reporter (she/her)
Arielle is a Northeast Ohio native with more than 20 years of reporting experience in Cleveland, Atlanta and Detroit. She joined Signal Akron as its founding education reporter, where she covered Akron Public Schools and the University of Akron.
As the economics of Akron reporter, Arielle will cover topics including housing, economic development and job availability. Through her reporting, she aims to help Akron residents understand the economic issues that are affecting their ability to live full lives in the city, and highlight information that can help residents make decisions. Arielle values diverse voices in her reporting and seeks to write about under-covered issues and groups.