Support professionals ask board to thoroughly investigate Krise Bus

After tense discussion over claims that the district's private bus company Krise Bus has been using Delaware Valley fuel for non-DV bus runs, board secretary Bill Hessling read aloud the following letter at tonight's board meeting.

In an effort to get her message out to the community, the author of the letter Fran Roasario, president of the DV Education Support Professionals, has shared the letter with RB for DV.

Delaware Valley Education Support Professional
“WE KEEP OUR SCHOOLS RUNNING”


December 17, 2008


Dr. Candis Finan
Bob Goldsack
Deb DuCharme
Sue Casey
Diane French
John Kupillas
Pam Lutfy
Susan Schor
Ed Silverstone
John Wroblewski

Dear Dr. Finan and Delaware Valley School Board:

The serious allegations made at the Delaware Valley school board transportation meeting on December 10, 2008, regarding improprieties on the part of Mr. Tim Krise and his bus company, warrant swift action to protect the financial and safety interests of the Delaware Valley School District.

At the meeting, Board President Bob Goldsack asked Mr. Krise to not only answer to the allegations, but also to provide solutions to the problem. While I find it suspect that the school board president would ask the person who is under investigation to suggest solutions, I feel it appropriate to make suggestions to rectify this situation on behalf of the Delaware Valley Education Support Professionals.

I believe it is of the utmost importance to fully investigate any and all allegations made against Mr. Krise’s company. I believe that these investigations should be done in a way that is transparent to the school community, including local taxpayers. Furthermore, in order to not even give the appearance of a lack of transparency, I do not think it would be appropriate to include Mr. Krise, or anyone from his company, in the process of the inquiry other than their role as the focus of the investigation.

I also believe that Mr. Krise and his company deserve their due process, and a full public investigation should be conducted by the district and school board. Mr. Krise and his company should be held accountable if any of these allegations are found to be true. If any illegal activities are uncovered in the investigation, those responsible, including both Tim Krise and Barbara Hufnagel, should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. If illegalities are found, the transportation contract with Krise Bus Service should be immediately nullified. Additionally, the taxpayers deserve the district’s maximum efforts to recoup rental fees from Krise Bus Service for parking their buses at district facilities free of charge.

I understand that the level of proof for legal charges may, in fact, be unattainable. However, I believe Delaware Valley School District deserves better than the deception provided by
Mr. Krise. I believe it is time for the Delaware Valley School District to look elsewhere to meet its transportation needs. At the very least, the district should marginalize Krise Bus Service as much as possible, e.g. discontinuing their use for charter trips until the end their contract with the school district.

The district should turn crisis into opportunity and take back the control of the transportation of our students. To increase the oversight ability of the district, I suggest that district transportation services be moved back to district employees. In doing so, the district would have complete control of its resources and not have to depend on an outside and sometimes deceptive entity to ensure the safe transportation of students and the proper use of district funds.

Sincerely,


Fran Rosario, President
Delaware Valley Education
Support Professionals

Download a .PDF of Fran's letter