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Board awards busing management contract to Zoom Services after debate over safety, tracking and fleet
Summary
The Millard Public Schools Board of Education voted to award a multi‑year busing management contract to Zoom Services Inc., citing better routing software, new propane buses and parent tracking features. Board members asked detailed questions about safety, driver transition and facility plans before approving the award.
The Millard Public Schools Board of Education voted to award the district's 2025–26 through 2030–31 busing management contract to Zoom Services Inc., authorizing the chief financial officer to negotiate and sign a contract consistent with Zoom's RFP response and subsequent negotiations.
Board members focused discussion on the bidder evaluation, safety features, driver recruitment and whether the vendor would supply new buses. Board members said the price difference between bids was modest compared with the service and technology benefits Zoom offered.
Board members pressed district staff on specific service improvements. Chad, a district staff member involved in procurement, said Zoom brought “better routing software” and a management approach the district judged likely to improve driver recruitment and retention. Transportation Director Mister Zimmerman described platform features, saying the vendor’s “technology, platform components include exceptional routing and analytics software,” and explained that drivers would have iPads and parents could receive notifications when a child boards or leaves a bus.
Board members asked about RFID badges, parent notifications, whether buses would be new and propane‑powered, driver job transitions, yard location and whether special‑education routes and activity trips were included. Staff confirmed Zoom proposed all‑new, propane buses, air‑conditioned vehicles and an off‑site consolidated yard proposed in its plan; the contract includes regular education buses, special‑education buses (not the small “white fleet” vans) and activity/field trip service. Staff said most existing drivers would be offered positions under Zoom’s transition plan.
After discussion the board approved the award and authorized the CFO to finalize the contract. The resolution also allows the district to exercise two additional optional extension years and contemplates limited renegotiation in unusual circumstances.
Votes at a glance: The motion to award the busing management contract to Zoom Services Inc. passed in roll call with board members recorded as voting in favor.
