Committee approves three-year contract to vendor out part of special-education transportation

The Regional School Committee voted to contract eight out-of-district special-education transportation routes to Vanpool under a three-year agreement starting July 1, with a mutual option to renew for two additional years.

Administrators told the committee the move will replace older, high-mileage district vans with newer vendor-operated vehicles and is expected to reduce long-term costs and maintenance burdens. The proposal described contracting eight routes to Vanpool while retaining seven in-district special-education routes and drivers. Administrators said two routes will remain with the South Coast Collaborative and that the plan should improve vehicle age and mileage metrics.

The vendor’s per-day charge was presented in the discussion as an estimated $245 per day for contracted routes; administrators said actual cost will vary by route length and by the number of days a student attends (they used an average of about 200 days for estimating). The administration recommended the three-year contract after checking references and meeting with the vendor; they reported positive references from districts that have made similar transitions.

Committee members asked about contract-year increases and driver qualifications. Administrators said the contract ties future-year adjustments to the Boston-area CPI rather than a separate fuel escalator. They also said the vendor typically interviews existing drivers and attempts to retain drivers where feasible; pay structures and benefits differ by employer, and individual financial outcomes for drivers will vary. The administration said it will work with the vendor to minimize disruption and address seniority and assignment concerns.

A motion to approve the three-year contract with Vanpool, effective July 1, passed on a voice vote with no recorded opposition.