Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Emergency topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board authorizes emergency transportation agreements after primary vendor reports financial instability
Summary
Facing reliability concerns from its contracted special-education transportation provider, the board approved emergency procurement resolutions and one-year agreements with alternative carriers, including First Student and a taxi vendor, to ensure student transport at the start of the school year.
The School District 34 Board of Education approved emergency procurement resolutions and one-year agreements with alternative transportation providers after its primary special-education transport contractor reported financial and organizational difficulties that raised reliability concerns.
Superintendent Dr. Deli and district operations staff told the board the district received notice that Safeway, the incumbent provider, was experiencing financial and organizational challenges and might not be able to reliably deliver special-education transportation at the start of the school year. Legal counsel and administrators determined the situation constituted an emergency that justified temporarily bypassing a standard competitive bid process.
Trustees passed three related measures: (1) a resolution authorizing emergency expenditures and permitting the district to enter emergency transportation agreements; (2) a one-year emergency contract with First Student as a primary alternative provider; and (3) a backup specialized-transport contract with 303 Taxi to serve as a contingency for routes or students requiring nonstandard vehicles. The board approved each item by roll call vote; all motions carried.
District staff said First Student's startup pricing was similar to prior costs, drivers and vehicles completed dry runs, and the company is positioned to provide primary service while the district monitors Safeway's status. The taxi agreement was described as a short-term backup to fill gaps, particularly in the first week of school when routing and student needs can change rapidly.
Administrators told trustees they notified families of special-education students via a combination of generalized district communications and individualized outreach. Assistant principals at each building began personal contact with families who might need additional assistance with the change in providers; the district also provided written schedules and pickup times.
Board members asked about the procurement timeline and whether the district would return to a formal RFP once the immediate risk passed. District staff said they expect to monitor operations closely during the opening weeks of school, report back to the board, and likely conduct a formal competitive procurement when timing allows.
