Durham upset

I was extremely disappointed to read the article titled "Union wants school board to keep services in house" which appeared to conclude that outsourced services were inferior to those provided by the school district.

Conejo Valley Unified has a long and positive record of outsourcing support services with the private sector. In fact, Durham School Services, a professional school transportation provider, has successfully served Conejo Unified School District for more than 19 years.

More importantly, I take issue with Mr. McClain’s claim that private employees—who I assume would include our bus drivers—somehow care less about the kids. Our drivers, who must undergo a battery of stringent skills tests as well as an extensive background check, reference check, drug testing and motor vehicle record test, have loyally served generations of Conejo children. I suggest Mr. McClain check his facts in his own school district before he makes such sweeping statements.

Maggie Kirvan

Thousand Oaks

Kirvan is general manager for Durham School Services