MONROE — Almost half of the buses that Monroe Schools received in its split with Middletown are substandard, according to the company that Monroe hired to provide bus service.

        And that means both sides will renegotiate the bus issue, officials from Monroe and Middletown say.

        Only three of the nine buses from Middletown are being used to transport stu dents by Petermann LTD. Of the others, four were not even taken for an annual inspection because they were either too old or needed unavailable parts, said Lee Ann Cary, a Petermann employee serving as Monroe's transportation director. Monroe has 13 bus routes; the other 10 buses are being provided by Petermann.

        “The bulk of the buses were too old,” Pete Settle, one of Petermann's owners, said Tuesday. The three former Middletown buses that are in use are the only ones newer than 1990.

        “If I'm going to take responsibility for kids, I want buses with all the safety features that older buses don't have,” he said. Those features include flame-retardant seats, antilock brakes and emergency window/roof exits.

        Middletown Schools Treasurer Edmund Pokora, who was on Middletown's transition team, said officials were unaware of Monroe displeasure with buses, but all nine passed inspections in 1999.

        “This is the first we've heard of any transportation issues,” Mr. Pokora said Tuesday. “We pledged they (buses) would be in good working order. We'll work with Monroe and see what needs to be done.”

        In a report to the Monroe school board Monday, facilities and operations director Steve Campbell outlined problems in the buses discovered by Petermann over the summer that included oil, transmission or brake fluid leaks and problems with ex haust systems, steering and lack of parts for repairs.

        Providing additional buses did increase the cost of Monroe's contract with Petermann, but neither school nor Petermann officials would say by how much until they review the matter more thoroughly.

        Superintendent Arnol Elam said he would discuss the matter with Middletown school officials. He has requested a detailed list of repairs and problems with all nine buses.

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