Madison board extends Durham School Services contract after unanimous vote

The Madison Public Schools Board of Education voted 6-0 to approve Addendum 8 to the district's student transportation agreement with Durham School Services, a contract the board said has provided reliable service and competitive daily rates.

Board members approved the extension after Superintendent Dr. Cook described the district's experience with Durham as positive and noted the company's cooperation with the district on driver incentives, athletic runs and extra routing work tied to upcoming building reconfiguration. "We have had excellent experience with Durham School Services," Dr. Cook said during the discussion. "We feel we're in a really good place." The board moved and seconded the addendum and then voted to adopt it.

The addendum incorporates previously assessed support-service fees into the per-day rates over the contract term, producing a smaller increase for the first year and larger increases in later years, according to board discussion. The superintendent said legal review confirmed the district may extend the current contract without conducting a new competitive bid. Board members also noted Durham's willingness to assist with district rerouting work for the major reconfiguration planned for this fall.

The motion passed by voice vote with the clerk recording the result as "motion carries 6 to nothing," indicating unanimous approval. The board did not record individual member votes in the public discussion.

Board members thanked district negotiators and Durham representatives for what they described as cooperative negotiation and service continuity. The extension will take effect under the terms described in Addendum 8 to the May 4, 2004 student transportation services agreement between the district and Durham School Services.