Brainerd board approves one-year bus contract despite concerns over $5,000 increase and route cuts

The Brainerd Public School District Board of Education on Monday approved a one-year transportation contract for 2025'1 with the district's bus contractor after heated discussion about costs and route reductions.

Board members said the revised contract is an improvement from the contractor's initial offer but repeated concerns that the district faces limited options while preparing for the school year. Director Ward, who led the discussion, said the revised proposal was "an improvement" compared with the contractor's original offer but remained unsuitable given the district's budget situation and potential service cuts. "We're going to have to talk about cuts sometime," Ward said.

Board members and staff discussed a projected $5,000 net cost increase under the revision and noted that the contractor reported ridership is down by about 20 percent. Board members said the reduction in riders had already led to the elimination of two routes and that contractors suggested additional route consolidation might be possible.

The board voted to approve the contract as written for the 2025'1 school year. Director Heinemann moved the motion, and Director Donnelley seconded it. The vote was taken by voice; the board chair announced the motion carried.

Board members debated whether the district should pursue larger operational changes instead of accepting the $5,000 increase. Director Ward urged the district to consider longer-term alternatives, including seeking different transportation providers or creating a district-run system, but acknowledged those changes would have up-front costs and not be feasible on short notice before school starts. "Maybe down the road, saving some significant money," Ward said when describing the trade-offs of building an in-house system.

Officials also raised geographic and service concerns: the district covers about 516 square miles, which complicates route consolidation without unduly lengthening student ride times. Board members said they do not want students on buses for multiple hours each day and noted some routes run near Garrison and Ripley, stretching the district's coverage.

Several board members asked whether contract terms could be adjusted midyear. Staff indicated route and hours adjustments might be possible "once we find out what's going on with the routes and how big it is," but that final clarity would depend on ridership once school starts.

The contract had been pulled from the consent calendar for separate discussion earlier in the meeting. After discussion and the voice vote approving the one-year contract, the board moved on to other district business and later recessed into closed session for labor negotiation strategy.

Votes at a glance - Approval of transportation contract for 2025'1 with the district's transportation contractor (as referenced in the record): motion moved by Director Heinemann, seconded by Director Donnelley; voice vote; motion carries (tally not recorded).

Context The board's discussion came at a special meeting with no public input. Board members said they do not expect to pursue an operating levy in the near future, which they said increases pressure to find budget savings in operations such as transportation.