By Jayson Wermers

It will be at least one more year, if at all, before the Richmond County school system privatizes its bus transportation services.

The school board voted 6-3 Friday, the first day of its two-day retreat, to authorize the administration to issue a request for proposals for outsourced busing. Board members Marion Barnes, Venus Cain and Patsy Scott were opposed, and Barbara Pulliam was absent.

Any proposals companies submit would have to have start dates of Aug. 1, 2013, meaning the school system would continue to run its own transportation department at least through the 2012-13 school year.