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Committee reviews three‑year BCIU transportation proposal; board to consider contract at voting meeting
Summary
Facilities committee discussed a three‑year proposal from BCIU to continue contracted bus runs at the current daily rate for 2025–26 with a projected 3% increase in the third year; board consensus sought before a formal contract is drawn and brought to the April voting meeting.
The Exeter Township School Board Committee of the Whole reviewed a three‑year transportation services proposal from the Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) for contracted bus runs, and the facilities and transportation discussion also covered summer program transport for the township and options for in‑house service if driver hiring improves.
Board members said the proposed 2025–26 daily run rate would match the current year’s rate and that BCIU had proposed about a 3% increase in the third year of a three‑year agreement. Business administrator Brian Fike and committee members said the district asked BCIU for a three‑year proposal to try to lock rates and allow planning prior to drafting a formal contract for the April voting meeting.
“Mister Fike, do you have the numbers on that and the increase year over year?” a committee member asked. Brian Fike summarized that the 2025–26 rate would be the same as this year and a modest increase would apply in the following year; the committee said a contract still needs to be drawn.
Committee members discussed vehicle types. A representative said the Intermediate Unit is replacing buses with gas (regular gasoline) models rather than propane, and that smaller runs were being adjusted to right‑size vehicle capacity, which can lower costs. Committee members also discussed the district’s ongoing driver shortage: if the district hires enough drivers, some contracted routes could return in‑house and reduce future bus purchases.
The committee also reviewed a proposed arrangement to transport the township’s Parks & Recreation summer-program field trips at cost. The administration said the township had requested the service and the district would provide it at cost; committee members said the arrangement should be board‑approved and confirmed it was summer work, not requiring bargaining-unit approval.
No formal contract vote occurred during the Committee of the Whole. Administration said it will bring a formal contract to the April voting meeting after drafting and legal review; the committee requested a consensus to pursue the three‑year proposal before the contract is drafted.
