End The Deadlock

To the Editor:

I witnessed an exercise in futility when the Board of Education met for the fourth time to vote on the upcoming bus contract. The meeting, which ran until midnight, rehashed the same facts and opinions as discussed at previous meetings. The vote, again, was 3 for MTM, 3 for All-Star.

While I believe MTM should be awarded the full contract, I found the (lack of) action of the board reprehensible. It is inexcusable that Superintendent Dr Robinson or the board did not come to this fourth meeting ready to present (and accept) alternative ideas. At the very least, come prepared with the knowledge of what to do in the event of another deadlock.

Board member and ardent All-Star supporter David Nanavaty made a motion to turn the decision over to the superintendant, finance director, and transportation director. At least twice, in extreme examples of bluster and bravado, he made impassioned pleas, outright demanding and challenging board members to show leadership.

Nanavaty also recommended reconsideration of a split [five-year] contract — giving MTM $3 million and All-Star $7 million. Kathryn Fetchick, saying this split would effectively put MTM out of business, voted against it along with Anna Wiedemann and Elaine McClure. When McClure presented the (only real new) tie-breaker idea — flipping the larger $7 million part to MTM — ensuring MTM’s ability to survive, the three in favor of MTM getting 100 percent of the contract compromised and voted in favor. However, Chrystie, Gaines, and Nanavaty refused to move —insisting on giving All-Star the bigger piece.

Nanavaty failed to show the leadership he so eloquently argued for earlier, by voting against the split. (It’s apparent he never intended on budging and was only browbeating opposing members).

In spite of MTM’s six-year history of safely serving special needs students, Chrystie wants a financial statement with a big bottom line — making it virtually impossible for MTM to compete. She doesn’t care that MTM beats All-Star’s bid over the life of the contract, met every financial obligation over the past six years, or that as explained by MTM’s accountant, Jack Huray, the bottom line of the financial statement was lower because of customary accelerated depreciation of the buses, and that in his professional opinion, had no concerns about MTM’s financial viability. Newtown Savings Bank also provided a letter stating they would be happy to consider new bus financing, and that MTM met the (new) requirement of a surety bond.

While MTM didn’t have a flawless presentation, they, unlike All-Star, were present at every meeting — responding to every request made by board members. All-Star wasn’t there.

MTM drivers know the routes, kids, parents, other owner/operators, and in the end, is less expensive. With September around the corner, it’s important to end the deadlock, and award the contract to our neighbors at MTM.

Jack Laslo

28 Old Bethel Road, Newtown                                       May 13, 2009