Northwestern Lehigh School directors quickly approved a resolution Wednesday to keep the beleaguered transportation department as part of the school system, but strip health care from the 16 drivers who are receiving the benefit.

The vote was 8-1 in favor of the resolution prepared by the administration. The single dissenting vote came from Todd Hernandez who told the crowd of more than 55 observers and his fellow school board members that he supports keeping the transportation department in-house but would, "rather see us have done more in-house cost cutting."There was no noticeable reaction by the drivers to the vote, although several said afterward that they were devastated.At the beginning of the meeting, the drivers' de facto bus driver spokesman, Leroy Sorenson, who is not a driver, said that the bus drivers offered to give up health care benefits in order to keep their jobs and the transportation department in the school system.Other residents spoke in favor of keeping the transportation department in-house, but none so movingly as 13-year-old Lizzy Young, a diabetic, who talked about her bus driver "Barb.""I wasn't feeling good one afternoon when we were leaving the high school (and) Barb called in to the school nurse to ensure that I would make it home safely."Don't take away the bus drivers that we have gotten to know over the years," pleaded Young.Before casting his vote, school board member Willard Dellicker went to the podium and addressed the crowd.After thanking the drivers for their courtesy over the course of the deliberations, he laid out the facts of the case in what he stressed was his opinion."Outsourcing is all about money and reducing costs," said the former Navy and Air Force pilot. "This journey was not begun due to failure of drivers or of the (transportation) operations it's about cost."He said the health care costs for the school district, at the current rate would, within five years, cost the school district $12.5 million.He said that none of the board members are making their decisions lightly."I've discussed this with neighbors, my wife, and clergy," said Dellicker. "I've prayed for guidance.""We cannot afford health care for part-time employees," said Dellicker who also is the treasurer of the school board. "I am willing to keep drivers in-house, but without health care."After the vote, Connie Lynn, who said she has been a full-time driver for 11 years, said she was "devastated" by the decision. She said she has been paying $69 per pay period ($138 per month) as her share for family health care, but will now have to get health care through her husband's job. She said the family will now pay $475 per month for health care. She has two children in college who are currently on her health care plan.Tami Haaf, also a full-time driver for 11 years, said her health care premium will go from $126 per month to $450 per month through her husband's job.Part-time bus driver Harley Newman, who has spoken clearly and forcefully for the drivers in past meetings, is married to full-time driver Kim Borgman. Both will now lose their health care."For us to buy into a health care program will cost as much as we both make driving buses," said Newman.President of the Bus Driver's Association, Jean George said, "I know it was a difficult situation. I really think the board took everything into consideration."She said that the decision takes effect at the end of September."We still get to keep our pension plan," she said.According to the school district's (not yet officially released) preliminary budget for 2011-2012, the projected cost of health care benefits for all employees, which included medical, pharmaceutical, and dental care, is $3.9 million.Information provided during transportation hearings had only $54,684 slated for transportation department salaries and benefits in 2011-2012. It was not clear at press time how much of that amount was for benefits.In related matters, Superintendent Dr. Mary Anne Wright addressed the crowd of mostly bus drivers and their families, saying that recently retired transportation chief Larry Morris had done a good job during his tenure as director.She was attempting to counter what she called "comments (about) how mismanaged the transportation department has been.""Larry (Morris) provided a tremendous service," said Wright.At the last school board meeting, the board's vice president, Sally Schoffstall, suggested that the "district has not managed the transportation department effectively" over the 20 years that she has been on the school board.In other business, auditor William H. Gorman, Jr. reported that the Northwestern Lehigh School District's financial picture is "clean." He said that puts the district in the top third of the eight school districts he audits. Gorman declined to name the bottom third when asked. The audit was not immediately available to the public.The board approved six retirement requests: Mary Knolle, Weisenberg learning support teacher, 17 years service; Jenne Harlin, Northwestern Middle School social studies teacher, 18 years service; Terri Lundberg, Northwestern Elementary and Middle School, 18 years service; Helen McCauley, school nurse at Northwestern Elementary and Middle School, 18 years service; John Kennedy Jr., supervisor of buildings and grounds, 21 years; and Carl Lerch, assistant supervisor of buildings and grounds.