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Board approves exception to bid for transportation contracts and Baker Tilly surge support; Honest Game contract set aside
Summary
The Milwaukee Board of School Directors approved exception‑to‑bid contracts that add Baker Tilly surge audit support and two transportation pilot contracts using district‑leased vehicles; the board excluded a contract with Honest Game Corporation for further consideration.
The Milwaukee Board of School Directors voted to approve exception‑to‑bid contracts recommended by the Committee on Accountability, Finance and Personnel, adding a contract for Baker Tilly to provide surge audit support for FY 2025 and authorizing two transportation pilot contracts that rely on district‑leased vehicles, while excluding a proposed contract with Honest Game Corporation.
Director O’Halloran moved to approve the exception to bid contracts, including the Baker Tilly contract, and to continue setting aside the Honest Game Corporation contract. Director Reza seconded the motion. The motion passed on a roll call vote, 9‑0.
David Feiferic, director of business and transportation services, explained the two transportation pilot contracts (with established vendors referenced in committee) were negotiated specifically for a prepaid lease pilot. Feiferic said the district had effectively prepaid the vehicle leases and the pilot contracts reflect lower vendor rates because the district owns the vehicles and pays for GPS and maintenance as part of the arrangement. “We decided to craft a contract specific for the pilot for both of those established vendors so that they effectively provide the labor and they use our vehicles,” he said.
Feiferic also updated the board on the parent “Where’s the Bus” app. He said about 3,500 households have registered in the parent portal and that the district plans a mass push in October to increase registration. He explained parents must register in the district parent portal to obtain the app link and that information updates to the app follow the district’s twice‑weekly change schedule.
Board members asked whether parents must re‑register when routes switch providers; Feiferic said updates follow the district’s routine schedule and there is an established help email address for troubleshooting. Director O’Halloran noted the board set aside the Honest Game contract for additional review and approved the remaining exceptions and additions as presented.
No additional action was taken on Honest Game Corporation; that item remains set aside for future consideration.
