The Columbus City School board narrowly approved offering its sole, $14.2 million busing contract to First Student, the largest school bus company in North America.
After a four-hour session Tuesday night that included three rounds of voting and some heated debate among board members, the contract was approved by one vote.
Some board members expressed serious hesitation about First Student, which is on probation with the state of Ohio through 2010 because of past problems, 10TV News reported.
In 2007, a First Student bus was pulled over by Columbus police and the driver was found to be in possession of a syringe filled with cocaine.
"Short of them doing this for free, I wouldn't even consider First Student doing this," said board member Mike Wiles, "I'm not even sure I would do it if they were doing it for free."
At least two other members expressed concern because the district did not offer a portion of the contract to a local company or small business in the community, 10TV News reported.
After requesting bids and studying costs, Superintendent Dr. Gene Harris recommended the contract go to First Student. She said the company offered the district a three-year contract which cost 20 percent less than its current deal, and save Columbus City Schools $1.9 million, 10TV News reported.
"You hire me for judgment. I have brought you my best judgment and in my nine years I have not really gone toe to toe with you on an issue like this one," Harris said before board members cast their third votes of the evening.
Harris' recommendation was passed by one vote, 10TV News reported.
First Student representatives attended Tuesday's meeting, and said their company would begin preparing Wednesday for transportation in the fall.
The company also issued a statement, saying it extensively audited its files and said, "We are confident that we will continue to provide safe and secure transportation throughout the state of Ohio for years to come."
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