District to seek cost details before extending First Alt transport arrangement for McKinney‑Vento students

Aurora East USD 131 staff asked the Buildings and Grounds Committee to co‑terminate a First Alt transportation arrangement with the district's First Student contract so the district can keep a familiar, vetted team transporting students served under McKinney‑Vento (homeless) and similar small‑load programs.

"It's been a great experience so far," Buildings & Grounds staff said of First Alt's performance since the district contracted with the subsidiary last year. Staff described First Alt as a First Student subsidiary used for smaller, less‑than‑busload trips; committee members said continuity of drivers and background‑checked personnel has helped families and students.

District administrators said pricing for taxi‑type transport varies month to month because charges depend on trip mileage and time and on where students are living; McKinney‑Vento placements can change frequently. Committee members asked staff to provide an average price per mile or an average monthly cost to use as a baseline before approving a multi‑year extension.

Staff said the recommended administrative step would co‑terminate the First Alt agreement with the main First Student contract and align the transportation contract terms. Committee members agreed staff should return with a simple cost model (per‑mile and typical monthly totals) to evaluate whether extending the arrangement is cost‑neutral or represents an increase compared with previous taxi arrangements.

Ending: Staff will return at the next meeting with per‑mile and average monthly cost estimates, and the committee will consider a vote after reviewing those numbers.