Hanover committee awards transportation contract to Ingle Bus Company despite single bid

The Hanover School Committee voted Jan. 17 to award its regular education and activity transportation bid for fiscal years 2025–27 to Ingle Bus Company after the company was the only bidder.

During the presentation, the district’s finance/operations presenter said the bid process followed Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 30B, and recommended awarding the contract to Ingle. “Ingle Bus Company has provided the Hanover Public Schools with the best price,” the presenter said, and later reported the district is “looking at a $134,000 increase from this year” for next year’s transportation costs.

Committee members asked whether a contract vote would follow the award. The presenter said the committee was voting to award the bid tonight; the formal transportation contract will be brought forward for approval at the Feb. 28 School Committee meeting.

Committee members carried the award on a roll-call vote; the clerk read members’ names and recorded unanimous approval from those present (recorded votes included: Pete Moraglia — aye; Ryan Hall — aye; Kristen Cervantes — aye; Libby Corbell — aye; Jackie Jorgensen — aye). The administration noted the bid included options for FY2028 and FY2029 and said the district will evaluate whether to extend or re-bid in later years.

The vote follows an acknowledged increase in transportation costs since the contract was last negotiated in 2019. Administration said it would provide the committee with the finalized contract and percentage-change detail before the Feb. 28 approval vote.

Next steps: the administration will share the draft contract and supporting bid documents with committee members and present the contract for formal approval on Feb. 28.