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Board hears transportation update; discussion on bus monitors and safety
Summary
Board members were briefed on transportation staffing, a proposed first-amendment to a transportation contract with a 3.5% cost increase, and the district's existing bus-monitor coverage; staff recommended contacting the transportation director for route-level concerns.
Board members received an update on student transportation contracts, monitor coverage and safety procedures and discussed the possibility of a test program for bus monitors. No board action was taken at the meeting; staff said contract negotiations are ongoing and the board will be briefed on proposals.
Mister Grom introduced information about a first amendment to the student transportation management contract and said the amendment would carry an approximately 3.5% increase in transportation cost over the remaining contract life. "We've been able to get that that contract set with a 3 and a half percent increase in transportation cost over the remaining life of this contract," he said, and asked members to review the 31-page amendment package.
Board members also discussed monitors on buses and bus safety. Brandon Allen, identified in the transcript as the district's director of transportation, and other staff provided route- and contractor-level details: the transcript records that as of that day First Student had 98 monitors on its buses, with five floating monitors that move among independent-contractor routes; First Student was covering 68 SPED routes (all with monitors) and additional regular routes with some monitor coverage; independent contractors were covering about 122 routes with a small number of floating monitors. "If there is a concern about a bus, the first person y'all should be going to is Brandon and having those conversations because he will address those [concerns]," a board member said.
Board members raised a separate concern about a high-school field trip that listed 40 students with only three staff members on the trip form; staff agreed to follow up with the school to confirm the number of approved chaperones and fingerprinted adults. The superintendent and transportation director described procedures for drivers to report suspicious items or behaviors immediately to dispatch and principals, and to check buses before routes begin.
No motion was taken on monitors or the contract amendment at this meeting. Staff said formal contract negotiation outcomes and any pilot program proposals for monitors will be presented to the board in a future meeting.
