West Shore School District, New Cumberland, PA
Overview
West Shore School District is one of the largest districts in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, covering approximately 78 square miles of Cumberland and York counties. Enrollment in its nine elementary schools, four middle schools and two high schools totals 8,000 students. The District also provides transportation for resident students attending non-public schools located within the District’s boundaries and up to ten miles beyond.
The Challenge
West Shore School District had always managed its student transportation in house. However, the District began to consider contracting management of bus drivers as well as its custodial, maintenance and food services. Among the many reasons to contract, the financial security they could glean from doing so was primary. The District also wanted to free up more time for the transportation department to focus on routing, programming and other projects. West Shore School District released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for student transportation.
As in many communities, one of the primary contracting concerns was that it would cost the District employees their jobs. Drivers, parents and students questioned how involved a contractor would be: would they employ the current drivers who have vested interest in the District’s children? Would new drivers care wholeheartedly about the students they transport? Community members also questioned how the nation’s largest transportation company would fit in to the Cumberland and York county communities.
Download the case study to see how First Student has become a trusted partner for the West Shore School District. Together, West Shore School District and First Student are one team – a seamless integration of transportation provider and District. Contracting with a student transportation service doesn’t mean the community connection is lost. Conversely, it means enhancing your team and creating an even bigger positive result for your community.
“The community is a big part of who we are and what we do on a daily basis. We need to be in touch with what’s going on out there. We not only participate in school functions, but outside functions, as well.”
Kim Paternoster, First Student Location Manager