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County staff say preschool special-education transport contract stays at 2021 rates; RFP planned next year
Summary
Health department staff told supervisors the county will execute the final 12-month extension of a contract with Transpo Bus LLC for state-mandated preschool special-education transportation, holding 2021 rates and serving 31 children daily; staff said they expect to issue an RFP next year.
Seneca County Health Department staff told the Health and Human Services Committee on June 24 that the county will execute the final 12-month extension of a contract with Transpo Bus LLC to provide transportation for state-mandated preschool special-education and early-intervention programs.
The staff member said the original contract was authorized in 2021 with a three-year term and two optional one-year extensions. The vendor that won the original procurement was Transpo Bus LLC after Durham, the long-time vendor, “pulled out of all rural areas,” the presenter said.
The health staff member said the county currently pays $475 per bus and an additional $5 for each additional child on a route. For the 2024–25 school year the county bused 31 children daily; 30 of those students were transported to out-of-county programs. The presenter said the current contract remains at 2021 rates because the vendor did not include an automatic increase clause and both parties have operated at those rates through the extension.
“If the board wanted to reform a subcommittee ... I’m open to any input on the transportation going forward,” the health department staff member said, adding that staff plan to bring an RFP for transportation services to the board early next year.
County staff also reported that, with existing rates and current ridership, the program was approximately $35,000 under budget for the year.
Shersti Coleman, who works with the vendor and coordinates routes, was named in committee discussion as the staff contact who consolidates routes when possible. Committee members asked whether routes could be consolidated when students attend programs at different facilities; staff said Transpo Bus LLC “does their best to consolidate runs” but routing depends on program schedules and half- or full-day status.
Committee members did not change the contract at the meeting; staff said they will execute the last authorized 12-month extension and return with procurement plans next year.
