Mifflin County board approves five bus contractors, authorizes RFPs amid public concern over special-needs transport

The Mifflin County School District Board of Directors on March 27 approved five pupil transportation contracts for a five‑year term and authorized the district to issue requests for proposals for unassigned routes, decisions that drew strong public comment from parents and drivers about safety and the transportation of students with special needs.

Parents and drivers urged the board to scrutinize how contracts were negotiated and to consider the specialized needs of students who require mini‑bus transportation. “Can we, as a district, say that we have negotiated busing contracts in good faith?” said Britney Shea, identifying herself as a parent and taxpayer, asking the board to explain how contractors could remain safe and pay drivers adequately. “With safety comes costs, including new equipment and update to technology,” she said.

Mandy Yana, speaking as a representative of Price Transportation, which the speaker said provides many of the district’s specialized runs, told the board…