BLAIR, NEBRASKA (APRIL 7, 2024) Blair finds itself at the center of a debate over Blair Community Schools’ proposal to purchase new buses for student activities. This issue transcended typical school district decisions, sparking a wide-ranging conversation about fiscal responsibility, educational priorities, and allocation of taxpayer funds.
The proposal united community members, board members, and the real experts on this issue – the bus drivers – in a significant display of concern and engagement. In all the years we’ve followed local, state, and national issues, this is the most-unified we’ve seen a community. The clear, unambiguous chorus is for buses that meet the needs of the students, at a lower price.
(We contacted each school board member – and Tyler Siecke, the Blair Schools Transportation Director – to get their insights. We received replies from Kari Loseke, Courtney Tabor, Ginger Fredericksen, and Denise Cada. We urge you to contact Mr. Siecke, and school board members with questions or concerns about this – and any other school-related issue. Here is a link to contact board members: https://www.blairschools.org/board_of_ed/board_of_education_members)
The Proposal at a Glance
The proposal was born out of a genuine need: the school district’s current fleet was aging, and concerns over safety and reliability were growing. The turning point, though, came with the mention of specific features intended for these buses — amenities that shifted the conversation from necessity to luxury. The proposal detailed plans for buses equipped with “captain chairs, USB ports, and AC,” features that sparked immediate public debate.
Clarification from the school board soon followed, aiming to dispel misconceptions about the nature of the proposed transportation upgrade. School Board President Kari Loseke addressed the community’s concerns and brought the conversation back to a more reality-based footing, stating, “The Blair School Board is not considering the purchase of 2 luxury buses. The district has gotten bids for a couple types of yellow school buses. I would not call any yellow school bus ‘luxury.'”
The revised understanding of the proposal highlights the school district’s intention to explore various types of buses, focusing on factors such as student and driver safety, overall fiscal responsibility, and the long-term needs of the school’s transportation fleet. As Loseke further elaborated, the district’s considerations include updating aging buses and potentially saving money in the long run by reducing the need for chartered bus rentals for distant events.
Community Response
The proposal to update Blair Community Schools’ bus fleet sparked significant dialogue within the community, drawing a broad range of insights and opinions. The concern is not just about the specifics of the buses but what this spending reflects about the district’s priorities.
Lisa Kelly, expressing a sentiment common among local business owners and parents alike, questioned the logic behind the proposed expenditure: “It does not make sense to not be able to afford vehicles and drivers for day-to-day transport for education, but be able to afford a huge outlay like this for occasional long trips for athletics and special events!” Her critique points to a perceived imbalance in resource allocation, emphasizing the need for a more equitable approach to meeting the district’s transportation needs.
Further amplifying the call for a reevaluation of spending, a concerned parent added, “Before we spend on what’s perceived as luxury items, we need to address fundamental needs within our schools. Quality of education and student welfare should always come first.” This perspective reinforces a common theme among the responses: the desire for fiscal decisions that directly enhance the educational environment and support student well-being.
In pursuit of clarity and a deeper understanding of the proposal, attempts were made to contact Tyler Siecke, the Transportation Director of Blair Community Schools. Despite three emails, two phone calls, and one voicemail, there was no response. To be clear, we wanted Mr. Siecke’s input on this discussion and offered him an open forum to do so.
School Board Members’ Perspectives
The school board’s stance on the bus purchase was far from monolithic, reflecting a spectrum of opinions that highlighted the complexity of the issue at hand.
Courtney Tabor expressed a nuanced position that favored practicality over perceived luxury: “No, I do not support the purchase of the two activity buses with captain chairs and USB ports, but I do support the purchase of two 71 passenger activity buses with AC.” Her emphasis on distinguishing between wants and needs resonated with a fiscal conservatism that many in the community appreciated.
Kari Loseke, the Board President, told us, “Keeping all of this in mind, I believe for now, we must address our aging fleet first and start with the purchase of more 71- passenger buses. I am also in favor of getting a bus with air conditioning. Currently we don’t have any buses with air conditioning. In the future we may want to consider options such as USB ports. All our students have laptops so doing homework and keeping their device charged when they are away from home should be a consideration.”
Denise Cada highlighted the board’s deliberative process: “It is our duty to look at all options / opportunities when spending taxpayer funds.” This statement underscored a commitment to thorough analysis and responsible stewardship of community resources.
Ginger Fredericksen succinctly summarized her stance, emphasizing broader fiscal priorities: “More important things to spend money on.” Her perspective echoed the sentiments of many Blair residents who felt the funds could be better allocated.
Insights from Bus Drivers
The voices of Blair’s bus drivers have been instrumental in shaping the community’s understanding of the needs versus wants in the school transportation debate. Their firsthand experience with the district’s buses brings a critical perspective to the conversation.
One anonymous bus driver provided a clear stance on the proposed plan: “The want for a 44 passenger activity bus is not practical. We have a fleet that is outdated and the money needs to be used to get us more 71 passenger buses to update our fleet.”
Echoing this sentiment, the feedback from drivers communicated to School Board Member Courtney Tabor further solidifies the practical concerns from those on the front lines. Tabor relayed a consensus among drivers she spoke with, aligning with the anonymous driver’s concerns about practicality over luxury.
We believe the board will vote against any proposed “luxury” bus in favor of what bus drivers and the community believe are needed. And, as the Blair community anticipates the school board’s decision, likely favoring practicality, the debate has unearthed deeper questions about fiscal priorities and the stewardship of public funds within Blair Community Schools. While the dialogue on bus funding may be reaching its conclusion, it has opened the door to a broader conversation about how the district allocates its resources across various needs.
An anonymous message from a school custodian sheds light on another aspect of the district’s spending that merits community attention.
The custodian writes, “we were promised new cleaning equipment because all of ours is ancient and broken… but we’re not allowed to get the new equipment… because they got a new truck with plow.” This poignant reflection from someone tasked with maintaining the cleanliness and safety of our schools underscores a recurring theme: the balancing act between immediate needs and long-term investments.
The custodian’s voice, though anonymous, resonates with a candid honesty about the challenges faced by the school’s support staff, emphasizing, “We are struggling as custodians. We try to keep the schools clean the best we can… You can’t just have temp services.” Their account not only highlights the practical implications of budgetary decisions but also the human impact—on employees who take pride in their work and on students who deserve a clean, safe learning environment.
The custodian’s message invites the Blair community to consider the broader discussion of funding decisions and their implications. It’s a reminder that beyond the high-profile issues lie everyday concerns that affect the very backbone of our schools.
Looking forward, it’s clear that conversations about fiscal responsibility in Blair Community Schools are far from over. The custodian’s message, alongside the bus funding debate, underscores the need for a comprehensive review of how funds are allocated, ensuring that every dollar spent reflects the community’s values and priorities.
Blair resident Aimee Cothran’s posts on Facebook were a catalyst for this discussion. Aimee urges all residents to attend the School Board meeting April 8. Here are the details of her original Facebook post:
Urgent Notice to Taxpayers: Your Input Needed on School Board Spending
- Event: Blair School Board Meeting
- Date & Time: April 8, 2024, at 7 pm
- Location: 1326 Park St.
- Agenda: Consideration of purchasing two activity buses equipped with captain chairs, USB ports, and air conditioning (AC).
Concerns:
- Existing route buses lack AC, despite recent purchases of new and used buses.
- Rationale behind the purchase includes replacing charter bus rentals for activities and supplementing the route bus fleet in case of breakdowns.
- Questions raised about the necessity of luxury features (captain chairs, USB ports) in activity buses.
- The proposed activity buses have a lower capacity (44 occupants) compared to route buses (71 occupants) and are $20,000 more expensive.
- Additional concerns include insufficient drivers for long trips, necessitating two drivers per trip and additional expenses for their accommodation.
Call to Action: Taxpayers are encouraged to attend the meeting to discuss the necessity and financial implications of this purchase.
