Chamber Argues WPS Operated Bus System Could Save $2 Million
According to the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, more than $2 million could be saved if the Worcester Public School system operated their own bus system.
The savings, according to the Chamber, represent a 16% reduction in costs for the school system during the first year of a self-operated bus system.
The Worcester School Committee’s standing committee on finance and operations met on Monday night to review bids and decide on options for student transportation. The only bid on the table was from the district’s current bus company, Durham School Services. The bid is for a two-year contract with an option for a third year.
The subcommittee’s report states that WPS could save more than $7 million over the first three years and $30 million over 10 years with the self-operated busing model.
The Chamber supports the district-operated transportation system and believes that the savings would outweigh any operational challenges.
Alex Guardiola, the Chamber’s director of government affairs and public policy, said, “We understand the importance of every dollar in the public schools.” Considering the “multi-million-dollar savings that have been identified by the WPS finance office’s cost analysis and report, we feel strongly that these funds could be better utilized to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for students.”
“At a time when budgets are tight and securing additional resources is challenging. Reinvesting these dollars into the schools is the most efficient and fiscally-prudent decision,” he added.
The Worcester School Committee will vote on this issue on Thursday, Sept. 19 at the school committee meeting at 6 PM at City Hall. Be sure to check out TWIW’s school committee preview on Thursday for more information.
UMass Medical School Hosting Charity Wiffle Ball Tournament
On Saturday, Oct. 19, UMass Medical School will be hosting a charity wiffle ball tournament at Crompton Park in Worcester to bring awareness to Neurofibromatosis [NF] – genetic disorder of the nervous system that causes tumors to form on the nerves anywhere in or on the body at any time.
The “Strike Out NF” tournament will take place from 9 AM to 3 PM. The tournament is round robin-style and teams will be made up of three to five people.
To sign up and for more information, click here.
Worcester Roller Derby Teams have Double Header this Weekend
The Worcester Roller Derby Teams — the Triple Deck-Hers and The Hurt of the Commonwealth — will be taking on Connecticut Roller Derby and The Hudson Valley Horrors at The Hab in Uxbridge this Saturday in a double-header.
4 PM • Connecticut Roller Derby vs Triple Deck-Hers
6 PM • Hudson Valley Horrors vs Hurt of the Commonwealth
Doors open at 3, first game begins at 4.
Ticket prices are as follows:
Adults: $10
Kids (6 and under): $5
Seniors (65+): $8
Sheriff’s Office and Vanessa Marcotte Foundation Hosting Self Defense Workshop
Next Thursday — Sept. 26 — the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and the Vanessa Marcotte Foundation are hosting a self-defense workshop for women.
The workshop is open to women ages 16 and older and will take place from 5:45 PM to 8 PM at the Auburn High School gymnasium.
Tickets are $10 and $5 for students. Participants must pre-register for the event here.
- 5:30 PM – Kilby St., Gardner St. and Hollis St. Neighborhood Meeting – Main South CDC, 875 Main Street
- 6:30 PM – Grafton Hill Neighborhood Meeting – Mass Audubon Society, 414 Massasoit Road
- 7:00 PM – Brown Square Neighborhood Meeting – Brown Square Civic Club, 639 Franklin Street
Follow us on The016.com, the social network for Worcester and you!
