Choncek Criticizes Transportation Consultants
ASD Transporation Consultants Richard Serafin and Randy Smith took the podium to defend their recent transportation report after it was negatively reviewed by Board Member Christopher Choncek.
by Nathan Lasher
Armstrong School District (ASD) Board of Directors Member Christopher Choncek criticized a report made by School Transportation Consultants during a public meeting Monday night.
As Transportation Consultants Richard Serafin and Randy Smith and Transportation Coordinator Chuck Pepper watched from the audience, Choncek voiced negative comments about a recent report that was the culmination of the consultants’ efforts to review all aspects of the ASD’s transportation.
“I was disappointed because I thought the report was vague,” said Choncek. “I didn’t think it really told us anything new than what we’ve already done, and I was under the impression that when we paid for your services that the solutions would be a little more concrete; that there would be a little more follow-through. Basically, what you’ve done was just restate what we’ve already known. So, I’m very disappointed. And then along with that, to find out that we are going to continue paying your consulting firm into the future, as far as I know, and anybody else can correct me if I’m wrong, that wasn’t part of the deal either. I thought what we were doing was paying for your services for a limited time and coming back with a concrete deliverable, and I just don’t see it in the report. So, I will be voting no for the acceptance of this final report, and for your continued services.”
In reply to Choncek’s comments, Smith said, “We made it very clear at the committee level that there were many things that were looked at. We just put in the report what we thought could be improved upon. I think we made that clear at the committee report level.”
The Transportation Consultants met with the ASD Transportations Committee during a public meeting held Friday, July 30, during which they presented committee members Rose Stitt, Dr. James Solak, and Sara Yassem with their final report and recommendations. During their report, the consultants’ greatest concern came from a performance audit from the Auditor General which was received by the ASD in January of 2010. The audit stated that it was the third consecutive audit where the District has had a finding in pupil transportation and that the situation is worsening. It suggested that the Department of Education should consider withholding pupil transportation reimbursement until such time as the District can show it is taking its corrective action implementation seriously.
During Monday’s meeting, Stitt was concerned whether the issues of the audit were being addressed. “Are you going to give any information to the auditors to prove that we are trying to rectify the issues that we have?” she asked the consultants.
“If the administration wants us to meet with the auditor we’d be more than happy to lay out a path to where we feel this needs to go to get good audits,” replied Smith. “Basically, we’re here to serve whatever you want us to do. We’ll make suggestions, but what the District accepts, modifies, or throws out, we don’t make any decisions. We basically just recommend.”
Superintendent Dr. Stan Chapp was last to comment. “With the auditors, we did give them a copy of the agreement and a copy of the fact that the report that was provided would be accepted,” he said. “So, we did indicate we would try to make this all completed probably by May 1. We would put together a timeline and work with consultants, and I think they are very satisfied that we have a plan in place.”
After the discussion, the Board voted 5 – 2 to accept the final report and to continue the Consultation and Support Services of the School Transportation Consultants. Choncek and Board Member Joseph Close cast the two dissenting votes. Member James Rearic was absent, and the seat of resigned member Michael Markilinski had yet to be filled.
Armstrong School District | nlasher August 25, 2010
By scott_starr, August 25, 2010 @ 9:27 AM
We saved $560,000 in transportation costs in 2008-2009 without the help of our “con-sultants”.
Is Armstrong County really a bannana republic?
By rfullerton, August 25, 2010 @ 10:11 AM
Seems to be Scott. Looks like a lot of us are just being apathetic and letting other people make decisions for us. A lot like lemmings….come on people, wake up and make an informed decision. It really doesn’t take that much effort.
By ASDpayer, August 25, 2010 @ 11:41 AM
The phrase, “follow the money” comes to mind. Maybe we need to look at some bank accounts of the relevant actors. This sweetheart deal has a funny smell about it. A study that is not a study, but just a report of the past decisions on busing. Then a long term contract to do what? Don’t we have paid staff that do transportation work? And just what was the reason MJM resigned? Anyone care to clear up the rumors?