JEFFERSON TWP — W.L. Roenigk will continue to transport South Butler School District students.

It took two votes for a divided school board to make the decision at its Wednesday night meeting, as some wanted to extend ABC Transit of Etna an opportunity to submit a proposal for the district’s transportation contract.

Before either vote, Todd O’Shell, vice president of operations at ABC Transit, reminded the board that the district in 2001 chose Roenigk over Durham, its longtime transportation contractor.

O’Shell, as the district’s former director of transportation, recalled that many residents wanted the school board to stay with the existing contractor.

“But there was nothing to lose in looking at other transportation companies,” he said.

After looking at multiple proposals, the board chose Roenigk.

“The Durham drivers were all hired by Roenigk and kept their routes,” O’Shell said.

He said the district, at that time, saved a significant amount of money by hiring Roenigk over Durham.

“We encourage you to examine other alternatives,” O’Shell said. “We would be happy to be a part of that process.”

School board President Matt Cimbala then asked if there was a motion to entertain proposals from both Roenigk and ABC Transit.

Board member George Zacherl made the motion and received a second.

“As a board, we have a variety of responsibilities,” Zacherl said. “Sitting here, I find it ironic that when it comes to board policies, we spend hours upon hours pouring over language, but we don’t want to take the time to look at a contract that’s going to be $10 million to $13 million.”

Cimbala said he also would vote to look at both contractors.

“We are here to represent the entirety of the community, including those in the district on fixed incomes,” Cimbala said.

Board Vice President Donna Eakin objected to Zacherl’s stance, saying the board spends hours on every important decision.

“I fully support negotiating one-on-one with Roenigk,” Eakin said. “They have given us amazing service.”

Board member Rebecca Boyd said as a local business owner, it is right to reward a company that has provided excellent service.

“I think we owe it to Roenigk to at least sit down and see what they have to say,” Boyd said. “I think it’s a matter of decency.”

The vote to look at both transportation companies failed with Eakin, Boyd, Jill McDonald and Linda Rieck voting no.

Cimbala, Zacherl and Debra Miller voted in favor of the measure.

Board members Jacqueline Pfeiffer and Bob Goodlin were absent Wednesday night.

With that motion unsuccessful, Cimbala then asked for a motion to allow Superintendent David Foley to form a committee and begin negotiations with W.L. Roenigk.

That vote passed 6 to 1, with Zacherl casting the dissenting vote.

“This was a hard decision,” Cimbala said. “That’s why there are nine of us and it’s not one person (deciding).”

The middle school library was packed for the meeting, including 15 bus drivers clad in their bright yellow Roenigk work shirts.

The current transportation contract expires at the end of the school year.