PEKIN, Ill. (25News Now) – The Pekin 108 school board voted Monday night to delay a decision on the Alltown bus contract to Nov. 16 after members raised concerns about the contract’s language and logistics.
In August, Pekin 108 canceled school for the rest of the first week after buses ran late or never showed up. On Monday, the board put off a decision on the Alltown contract to next month.
The board dropped the first vote to approve the contract. Members then voted to push the decision to November and to pay Alltown for work completed so far.
The district extended a default notice last month, giving Alltown until Oct. 16 to fix late and no-show buses. New routes took effect earlier this month.
Superintendent Leonard Ealey said Alltown has shown improvement.
“We are currently 32 of those 38 are at fours and six of those are at 3 at this time. So they have showed significant gains in those six weeks. That’s why my recommendation is to go ahead and approve their contract knowing that we’re going to continue to monitor and continue to expect higher and better service as we move forward,” Ealey said.
Members said a clause allowing either side to walk away with 120 days’ notice could leave the district without buses mid-year. They also want clearer rules on financial protections, building costs, and which document, the new deal or the original bid, counts if they conflict.
Board member Mike Tibbs raised concerns about the termination provision.
“And can only be effective at the end of the school year so that we have enough time to provide for a replacement. Otherwise, we could get really stuck by this. Is an atrocious project. It should not be in there. Any provision that would allow that kind of termination should, in my estimation, require that any termination can’t be effective until the end of the school year. It should require at least six months’ notice,” Tibbs said.
Alltown says routing changes take about 48 to 72 hours, with schools notifying parents. Ealey asked members to send all remaining questions to him for the attorney, possibly with a special meeting before Nov. 16.
The board voted to delay the Alltown contract to Nov. 16 to work through legal questions. Ealey said on-time performance is now around 93%, but members want more answers before signing off.
