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Board members seek more data on proposed $39M First Student transportation renewal
Summary
Board members asked staff for market comparisons and an itemized breakdown of fuel and service costs before approving the recommended one-year renewal with First Student Inc., which staff said remains under negotiation.
Board members pressed district staff for more information before moving forward on a recommended contract renewal with First Student Inc. to provide student transportation services, a proposal that the agenda described as not-to-exceed $39,370,092 for the 2025-26 school year.
Board member McKinney and others said the renewal figure appeared materially higher than previous years; McKinney said she remembered a roughly 15% increase and asked for a clearer calculation. "Before we approve this next week, we need to have clarity on how much because I don't think we should approve this if it's still this high," McKinney said during the meeting.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Richards Richmond and procurement staff said negotiations were ongoing. A procurement representative said the district had been "in continuous discussion with First Student and continue are continuing to do so" and that staff had heard board concerns during the prior committee meeting. Staff said the current contract term began July 16, 2021, includes a one-year renewal option, and that the district intends to put transportation services out to bid early in the following year when appropriate.
Board member Hugo Garcia asked for benchmarking: if the district cannot lower the renewal price, Garcia said he wanted to see comparative data showing whether other similar districts were paying the same or higher rates for a similar number of routes. Vice Chair Vashia Love asked for an itemized report showing the fuel cost, bus service components and any other cost drivers that explain the increase. Staff committed to provide an itemized list and to bring the requested information back to the business meeting next week.
Staff emphasized operational constraints and student-safety considerations in timing a procurement: the school year start date was about a month and a half away, staff said, and officials were wary of putting student transportation at risk by delaying a renewal or transition without clear replacement services in place.
Ending: Staff said they would provide a comparative market analysis and an itemized cost breakdown for the First Student proposal at the next business meeting so the board could make an informed vote.
