Caddo Parish School Board Appoints New District 7 Representative and Approves Controversial School Bus Tire Contract

Caddo Parish School Board Holds Important Meetings

This week, the bustling city of Shreveport was alive with discussions and decisions as the Caddo Parish School Board gathered for both regular and special session meetings. The agenda for these meetings was packed, but two key topics stood out: the search for an interim representative for District 7 and an all-important contract for school bus tires.

New Interim Representative for District 7

The special session on Tuesday kicked off with something on the minds of many: who would take over the vacant seat for District 7? Four candidates were presented to fill this important role—Jerry Bowman Jr., Carla Buntyn, Pamela Jackson, and Linda Smith. Each candidate brought their unique backgrounds and experiences to the table, but in the end, it was Jerry Bowman Jr. who won the hearts of the board members with a decisive 7 out of 11 votes.

Right after the results were announced, Bowman was sworn in, marking a new chapter in his career. Many might recognize Bowman from his previous stint on the Shreveport City Council, where he served for eight years in various leadership roles. It’s evident that Bowman’s experience in public service played a significant role in his selection, particularly over his competitors who were mainly former or current educators. While they have invaluable classroom experience, it just wasn’t enough to sway the board this time around.

Debate Over School Bus Tire Contract

Following the special session, board members shifted gears into the regular session, where tires took center stage. Yes, you heard that right—school bus tires! The board spent the majority of the discussion time diving into a bid provided by Southern Tire Mart for supplying tires for the school buses. It became a heated topic when Steve Umling, a board member from District 1, made a motion to deny the bid, declaring that the company “should know better than this.”

The crux of Umling’s concern lay in the classification of the tires offered. According to him, the contract required a Tier 1 tire, which includes brands like Goodyear, Bridgestone, and Michelin—essentially the best of the best for safety and durability. However, Southern Tire Mart proposed a brand called Double Coin, which Umling argued was a Tier 3 tire, even admitting that they were made in China.

During the discussion, a representative from Southern Tire Mart, Robert Rickards, stepped up to defend his company’s choice of tires. He argued that while Double Coin might not hold a Tier 1 status, they did come with a solid seven-year warranty and met all necessary safety standards. Rickards also highlighted Southern Tire Mart’s impressive credentials, noting that they are the largest retreader in North America, boasting a $3 billion annual revenue and a record of reliability with other clients.

Support for Double Coin came from a representative of Caddo Transportation, who echoed Rickards’ statements and emphasized that the company had utilized these tires for years without experiencing any issues. However, Umling remained skeptical, arguing that the lower price tag on the tires was indicative of their lower quality in terms of tread mileage and durability.

After nearly an hour of back and forth, the board ultimately approved the Southern Tire Mart bid with an 8-3 vote. Many board members concluded that, while they might have reservations, going with this option would save them from further complications, and they could revisit this contract in the following year.

Overall, it was a week filled with lively discussions that not only saw the appointment of a new interim representative but also a decision that aimed to ensure the safety and efficiency of school transportation in the parish. The Caddo Parish School Board continues to navigate the needs of the community, showing that even decisions involving tires can spark spirited debates!