First Posted: 7/24/2014

Dallas School District Business Manager Grant Palfey suggested to the school board on July 21 that student transportation be further outsourced.

The district currently staffs, runs and maintains five mini-buses, three 9-passenger vans and two 6-passenger vans. Transportation supplied by those vehicles would be outsourced to G. Davis Inc., which the district now uses for larger vehicles.

“When the district first took over transportation in 2007, it was cost-effective for our district and its taxpayers,” said Palfey. “That is no longer true.”

Palfey said a full cost-benefit analysis had concluded the district was simply no longer saving money by owning and staffing vehicles.

Palfey said he believed the proposal, if passed at the board’s August meeting, would save the district $82,450 during the first year of the contract and $30,000 in the second year.

Board member Bruce Goeringer credited Palfey for his foresight and willingness to expend time and energy in dealing with issues involving district busing.

The board also approved a resolution allowing advertising on district property as a means of raising money.

“I believe advertising may be an effective means of raising funds, but I think it must always be done in a spirit of taste and propriety,” said Goeringer.

Board member Colleen Slocum said the resolution would allow the Dallas Foundation, a non-profit entity which raises money for the district, to solicit a small amount of advertising from local businesses for the benefit of the school.

Slocum lauded the Dallas Foundation, which has tax-exempt status, for enabling local individuals and businesses to contribute to the district. She said members of the foundation contributed a unique skill set in regard to management and marketing.

Board member Catherine Wega said teachers and administrators have been able to maintain a “wish list” in regard to things they thought would best benefit students in several areas, including technology.

The board also approved the hiring of Nancy Roberts, athletic director; Holy Golembiewski, family and consumer science teacher, Dallas High School; Doreen Ignatovich, part-time music teacher, Dallas Middle School; Kelly O’Brien, Spanish teacher, Dallas High School; and Michelle Mulhern, elementary teacher, Dallas Elementary.

Board Superintendent Frank Galicki welcomed several in attendance to new positions, including Dr. Thomas Duffy as assistant to the superintendent and Thomas Traver, Dallas Elementary principal, overseeing both Dallas and Wycallis elementary schools.

The next meeting of the Dallas School Board will take place at 7 p.m. on Aug. 4.