It has been widely publicized how the bus referendum could impact Muncie Community Schools students
.If it is voted down on Tuesday, more than 4,000 kids
would not have a ride to and from school on a yellow school bus.But what happens to the bus
company — not to mention the drivers — that provides the rides?“The doors will close,” said Kendra Burgess, vice president of M&M Bus Co.
And that, she said, would impact 80 employees.
Burgess has been with M&M for 24 years, 17 as a driver. The business itself has been around since 1974 and has been the provider of school bus service for MCS since then.
She said if the buses
do not run, it will leave the six salaried employees and 74 drivers without jobs. And it will leave 74 buses on the lot.On Tuesday, community members will be able to vote yes or no on the referendum, which will ask for about $3.35 million for student
transportation.The biggest chunk of the $3,325,000 will go to M&M for its 2014 contract totaling $2,650,000.
A “yes” vote will keep the buses running by raising property taxes, to the tune of no more than 22 cents for every $100 of assessed property value. This rate
was voted on by the school board earlier this month. The tax rate over the seven-year referendum cannot exceed 39 cents for every $100.The referendum itself does not have to go the full seven years. That, too, is determined by the board.
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