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School committee approves new transportation contract; contract requires compliance with local ordinances including stop‑arm cameras
Summary
Methuen School Committee approved a new transportation contract on Sept. 24. Committee discussion included the contract’s requirement that the vendor abide by local ordinances and Massachusetts law, and members noted removed language that may be later enforced through breach remedies.
Methuen — The Methuen School Committee voted Sept. 24 to approve a new contract for student transportation after a review by district legal counsel and committee discussion of several technical amendments.
Superintendent Dr. Kwong told the committee the contract includes language requiring the bus company to “abide by all local ordinances and Massachusetts general law,” a provision members said would cover the recently passed city ordinance authorizing stop‑arm cameras on school buses. The committee also discussed two items removed from the draft earlier the same day because they were not in the original bid specifications; administration said the vendor and district had reviewed the contract and legal counsel had cleared it.
Member Willett and others pressed for assurances that the district retains enforcement options if the vendor fails to provide requested video recordings or if serious service problems emerge. Dr. Kwong and committee members noted that the contract retains remedies for material breaches, including notice and termination procedures, and that the district can pursue breach-of-contract steps if the vendor does not comply with performance requirements.
Legal counsel for the contract review was Attorney McNulty, the superintendent said. Committee members also discussed practical issues such as response time for accident reporting, dispatch performance and the application of the new camera ordinance.
The motion to approve was made by Member Shabilius and seconded by the vice chair; the committee voted to approve the contract. Committee members requested continued oversight of vendor performance, timely delivery of requested footage and confirmation that any private contractors who will be in direct contact with students meet the district’s clearance requirements.
