(KAIR)--Carrie Sowers remains as President of the Board of Education for Atchison- USD 409.

That follows the new year organization of the school board for the Atchison Public Schools, as held Monday evening during the board- regular meeting.

Along with Sowers being retained in her role of leadership, Diane Liebsch, also by a vote of her fellow board members, was reelected as Vice-President.

During business of the School Board, following the organization, it was decided to restore the transportation department under the operation and oversight of the school district.

Monday evening's vote of the board members to make that a reality set the date for that to begin as July 1, 2023. Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Renee Nugent, tells MSC News the current contract with First Student, formerly Apple Bus, which is in the process of being bought out by First Student, expires June 30, 2023, making it, Nugent said, “natural to begin looking at options going forward.”

When that contract expires, Nugent explains that, following summer school, the school district will, for the 2023-2024 school year, have its own transportation fleet overseen by district employees.

Nugent, in an emailed conversation with MSC News, said the primary benefit of returning to district transportation management is the elimination of the so-called “middleman,” meaning the district will be fully in charge of transportation, including hiring, training, and routing services.

Nugent added that while Apple Bus “served [the school district] well and fulfilled a need throughout their tenure with USD 409,” the district is “looking forward to resuming [its] own services.”