FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): The city of Fort Wayne is calling Northwest Allen County Schools’ decision to eliminate transportation a scare tactic.
On Monday night, the board of school trustees for NACS voted to eliminate school buses if the proposed annexation is passed.
The board said the decision to eliminate transportation was a direct result of Fort Wayne’s proposed North IV annexation.
The proposed annexation would cost the school system about half of their $8 million annual budget, according to NACS.
RELATED: NACS board votes to eliminate transportation if Fort Wayne annexation plan is approved
The city of Fort Wayne says its attempting to reach compromises and keep lines of communication open for those who might be affected by the annexation.
“As (NACS superintendent) Dr. Himsel continues to place blame on the City’s annexation plan for the district’s budget woes, his scare tactics distressing parents and students are both disingenuous and fail to allow for a dialogue seeking collaboration on Fort Wayne and the region’s future,” the city of Fort Wayne said in a press release.
The city says cutting transportation isn’t new for NACS. In the press release, the city pointed to multiple news articles from the Journal Gazette and News-Sentinel about NACS’ potentially eliminating transportation.
Mayor Tom Henry or city administration talked with Himsel on three separate occasions to discuss options to reduce the financial impact on NACS, according to the city.
