Melissa Thiros doesn't want to see Quaker Valley officials outsource its student transportation service.

"I've had nothing but positive experiences with Quaker Valley busing," said Thiros, an Osborne resident and mother of two, including a special needs child. "I can depend on them getting my children to and from their schools safely."

She fears a change from in-house bus services to a contracted service, which district officials are contemplating, could result in negative changes for Quaker Valley's busing.

"You can never reduce costs without losing something," she said. "Whether it's a large turnover in drivers or an increase in parent complaints, something will change with an outside service."

But Tom Foster, director of support services, said no changes to service would be affected.

"There will be no changes to the pick-up times or locations should we move to a contracted service," he said.

In March, school officials announced the district was looking into outsourcing its bus services to save money. The district spends $1.7M on transportation.

The district has received seven proposals from companies.

Foster couldn't elaborate on what companies have submitted proposals, but he said all companies are aware of Quaker Valley's bus schedules.

"Information on our bus routes, times and stops were included in the (requests for approvals)," said Foster. "Each of the companies know what we are expecting from them."

Quaker Valley faces escalating fuel prices, insurance and equipment costs, employee salaries and health care benefits, Foster said.

The district leases its bus terminal, thus adding to the costs associated with its fleet of 17 buses and 12 vans to transport almost 2,000 students.

With the district's support staff contract set to expire at the end of June, administrators hope to find ways to save money for the new agreement. Foster planned to meet with union officials on Tuesday.

Officials in the Moon Area School District spend more than $2 million annually to outsource transportation to Student Transportation of America, said Sally Currie, the district's transportation administrative assistant.

Moon buses transport nearly 4,500 students to the district's seven buildings in a 28-square mile area.

Within the 11 communities that make up Quaker Valley, buses drive nearly 2,700 miles daily, district officials estimate.

In Quaker Valley, buses travel to 24 locations outside of the district's territory, Foster said.

The district has scheduled a school board work session for May 20 at 8 p.m. at Osborne Elementary School. Transportation will be on the agenda.