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Board approves five‑year transportation contract with Grand Prairie Transit; first‑year cost reduced 1.65%
Summary
After presentations and questions about operations and technology, the District 57 Board voted unanimously to award a five‑year pupil‑transportation contract to Grand Prairie Transit; staff said the first year shows a 1.65% cost reduction with increases in subsequent years and that a transition plan would include summer school routes.
The District 57 Board of Education voted to approve a five‑year transportation contract with Grand Prairie Transit following a public presentation by company representatives and a staff recommendation.
Dave Armbrecht, representing Grand Prairie Transit, introduced company staff and described Grand Prairie as a large family‑owned carrier that operates roughly 3,000 buses and has served nearby districts and feeder systems. “We are the first person your students see and the last 1 that drops them off, and we are coming for your children,” Armbrecht said, emphasizing driver training and community ties.
District staff told the board three companies submitted bids after a mandatory pre‑bid meeting; staff recommended Grand Prairie based on price, reference checks and operational readiness. The staff presentation said the recommended contract would reduce estimated transportation costs by about 1.65% in the first contract year, then include scheduled increases in later years; staff also recommended a five‑year term to improve predictability for budgeting.
Board members asked about driver availability, depot locations and technology. Grand Prairie confirmed depot locations in Mount Prospect and Arlington Heights and said driver retention is an industrywide topic; staff and the company said many drivers follow routes when vendors change, which can reduce transition disruption. On technology, the company said GPS‑based vehicle tracking is available (district staff noted the district already uses a “bus bulletin” system and said that continuity would be preserved during the transition). The district’s transportation lead said the transition would include summer‑school routing as an early opportunity to test operations before the full school year.
The motion to approve the contract passed unanimously by roll call. Board members voting yes were Member Chung; Member Choate; Member Kwalczak; Member Leto; Member Nelson; Vice President Bennett Kille; and President Faye. Following the vote Grand Prairie representatives thanked the board for the opportunity and said they would begin transition planning pending contract execution.
Action recorded: approval of a five‑year contract with Grand Prairie Transit for pupil transportation; staff will manage transition planning and parent communications.
