STA Proposal Includes $7 Million Check to Purchase Marion County School District Vehicles, Offset Budget Deficit

School Bus Drivers Attend Company Meet & Greet BBQ

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Jul 20, 2011, 06:12 ET

OCALA, Fla., July 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110720/NY38849 )

Student Transportation of America employees and executives display a presentation check for Marion County, Florida Public Schools, which depicts the $7 million cash investment the company has offered if the school board votes to privatize their student transportation service with STA. After a lengthy RFP process, STA was the transportation provider recommended by the school board's selection committee. If confirmed, STA would pay Marion County Public Schools $6 million in immediate cash for the existing school bus fleet and an additional $1 million cash for any budget reductions. School officials estimate that privatizing would generate cost savings of millions of dollars in annual operating expenses and proposed capital outlays. STA also has promised to bring in over 100 new state-of-the-art school vehicles at an added investment of $7 million in the first year of the five-year contract. The matter was scheduled for a Board vote on June 28 but was "tabled" until July 26. STA school bus drivers and transportation personnel from Duval County, Fla. met with Marion County drivers and transportation personnel at a Meet & Greet barbeque and school bus safety Roadeo on July 19. During the event, STA Education Foundation representatives contributed $1,000 to Marion County's "Operation: Stuff the Bus" campaign to help local Ocala area students in need.