As part of the decision to change school start times, officials in Barrington also plan to outsource bus monitor jobs. 

The district currently spends about $94,000 each year for its bus monitors; that figure is estimated to climb to $189,000 once Barrington contracts with Ocean State to provide the monitors.

Barrington Superintendent of Schools Michael Messore said the change in bus schedules and the need for additional buses are two of the factors that played roles in the decision to outsource the positions.

"Currently the district is responsible for 11 bus monitors," stated a report completed by the Ad Hoc Start Time Committee. "The change in school start time places the K-3 schools on the first tier, requiring bus monitors to remain on the bus during all three tiers for the morning and afternoon routes.  

"This additional time may increase their weekly hours, potentially nearing the mandated eligibility for health insurance per Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Therefore, we are recommending that Ocean State provide bus monitors for all 14 of the proposed busses, as a more cost effective option. The net increase cost for the bus monitors will be $189,000."

An apparent shortage of bus monitors may have also played a role in the switch. 

Mr. Messore said the district has, at times, been short of the necessary number of bus monitors to properly man each bus. Earlier this year, one of the district's buses transporting students to an elementary school operated without a monitor for the morning pickups. 

Mr. Messore said Barrington is not alone in its occasional shortage of monitors. The superintendent said school districts across Rhode Island and the rest of the country have been struggling to find the necessary personnel to fill the positions, as well as finding enough substitute teachers.

Barrington has compensated, at times, by putting other employees on the buses as fill-in monitors. Mr. Messore said the district's director of transportation has even stepped in as a bus monitor some days. 

The move to outsource the positions will eliminate this problem, as Ocean State has a larger pool of bus monitors to pull from. 

The recent start time report also included information about the district's apparent need to increase its fleet of mini-buses.

"Currently we have been transporting special education children with two district owned and operated mini buses," stated the report. "The changes in school times will require one additional mini bus and two bus drivers, to ensure that all students are transported using the equitable criteria. Adding an additional district-owned minibus will result in an approximate increased cost of $101,000 annually plus the acquisition of a new minibus at approximately $60,000. 

"Ocean State is able to provide the same service at an approximate cost of $63,000 annually. For this reason, the district recommends a contract with Ocean State for the additional mini bus."