DCSS transportation restructure recommended

ALBANY — The Dougherty County School Board Transportation Committee on Friday approved transportation chief Kenneth Williams’ request to bring the restructuring of the department before the full board.

Williams’ proposal would eliminate the current four-district concept in favor of a fleet manager and operations manger. Two current district managers will be promoted to the two new supervisory positions.

The proposal also would take school bus discipline out of Williams’ hands. The school district would move two people into east and west zones to be in charge of discipline.

The plan eliminates one of two shop foreman positions, which Williams said would save the district more than $42,500 per year.

In other action, the committee approved the transfer of $60,000 from the department’s diesel fuel budget into its parts budget.

The committee approved bringing the purchases of five new 72-passenger buses for $516,000 before the full board. Williams said the recent totaling of two of the department’s buses because of accidents had created a critical need for the new vehicles.

The committee also approved asking the board to OK increased costs for field trips by 50 cents per mile, which would boost the current rate to $1.50 per mile.

The full board will consider these items at its next meeting scheduled for Monday at 6 p.m. at the school administration building.