Lee Pulaski, lpulaski@shawanoleader.com
Grosskopf Bus Company will be owned by Johnson Bus Company as of Jan. 1, the owners of both companies told the Shawano School Board on Monday.
Scott Grosskopf broke the news on Nov. 11 that he planned to sell his company after more than 40 years of service to Shawano school children. He said Johnson Bus, based in Fond du Lac, has a number of school bus contracts in the state and seemed the best fit to take over his company.
However, the local bus company will continue to be managed by the same employees for the time being, Grosskopf said.
The Johnson family already has considerable ties to the Shawano area, according to the company’s president, Steve Johnson. Several family members own property on Shawano Lake and along the Wolf River, he said.
“We’ve been supporting the community and the school district through taxes probably the last 50 years,” Johnson said. “I felt honored that Scott was able to say, ‘Steve, would you like to talk about my bus company?’”
Johnson Bus operates only school buses, the president told the School Board. He said Johnson Bus uses the latest technology, such as GPS and on-board cameras, but it also utilizes Child Check-Mate, a wireless system that helps bus drivers check for sleeping children.
“We can purchase technology for buses a little easier than Scott can,” Johnson said. “We offer $10 million in (liability) insurance, too.”
In November, Grosskopf suggested offering Johnson a five-year contract in the hopes of solidifying the company’s future with the school district. The current three-year contract was approved last spring.
According to district Superintendent Gary Cumberland, the School Board likely will look at extending the contract in May, when the district and the bus company revisit the pact for amendments.
