BLANCHESTER — The Blanchester School Board declared at Monday night’s meeting that providing the transportation of 11 students to private schools they’re attending is impractical “after a careful evaluation of all available options.”

According to Board President Chuck Shonkwiler, while each student is a resident of the district, thus making them eligible for transportation services, several factors were considered when making the decision. These included time and distance requirements, the number of pupils to be transported, costs of providing the service along with maintenance and personnel, whether it would disrupt current transport schedules, and whether other reimbursable types of transportation are available.

The parents or guardians of the 11 students will be offered payment in lieu of transportation.

The board also:

• Expressed that they wish to advertise and receive bids for the purchase of a school bus.

• Approved an assistant varsity boys basketball coach, a four-and-half-hour bus driver, five substitute teachers, and a middle school girls basketball and wrestling coach.

• Approved of the FFA’s National Convention Trip to Indianapolis Oct. 19-22.

Reach John Hamilton at 937-382-2574.