The ISD 831 School Board Thursday night put to rest any plan for outsourcing the district's transportation system by voting 4-1-2 to not privatize the bus system. The decision followed a report from transportation consultant Tom Watson who recommended staying with a district-owned bus fleet. The board also approved the purchase of seven new school buses during the regular meeting.

The decision to reject further study of outsourcing the bus fleet to a private contractor was opposed by board member Keith Dunham. Dunham said he was not recommending outsourcing but did favor a formal request for proposal process that would give Forest Lake leaders a clear picture to determine if outsourcing would or would not work. The step was needed, Dunham said, to show the public that school leaders are looking for ways that are not "business as usual." With 60 percent of voters rejecting last fall's operating levy proposal, Dunham said the board needs to take such actions if it wants to pass a levy proposal this November.

President Bill Bresin and members Rob Rapheal, Julie Corcoran and Joe Grafft voted for the motion to not privatize the bus system. While Dunham voted no, first-year board members Eric Langness and David Gay abstained. Langness also declined to vote and abstained on two board votes that authorized the purchase of the seven new buses.

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