School committee approves two‑year Vanpool extension for special‑education transport after safety updates and committee questions
Loading...
Summary
The School Committee voted Feb. 24 to extend the district's Vanpool contract for two years (FY27–28), citing improved communications and safety practices; members asked about bidding exemptions, per‑day van pricing, and whether fuel or line‑item adjustments could be negotiated.
The North Middlesex Regional School District School Committee voted Feb. 24 to approve a two‑year extension of its special‑education transportation contract with Vanpool for fiscal years 2027 and 2028.
Erin Upton, who manages special‑education transportation work for the district, summarized recent operational changes at Vanpool, including the company’s introduction of an on‑site safety role that visits schools each day for AM drop‑offs and PM pickups, improved incident reporting via a system called Beacon Connect and expanded vehicle acquisitions. “They visit each school for an AM drop off and a PM pickup, and they rotate each day,” Upton said, describing the safety‑check visits.
Upton said the district saw a 5% increase in Vanpool rates for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 and noted the contract specifies a minimum 4% increase for future years; the administration said it secured that 4% minimum for FY27–28 in the extension.
Committee members asked for clarity on pricing and procurement. Upton confirmed the fee is charged per van per day and noted special‑education transportation is exempt from Chapter 30B competitive‑bidding rules, which helps explain a limited pool of bidders when the district previously sought bids. Several members urged the administration to explore modest rate concessions with the vendor given lower fuel costs, even if the contract terms provide for the specified minimum increases.
Michael LaBossier moved the extension and Keenan Francois seconded; the motion carried on a roll call vote with five yeses and one abstention.
The committee’s approval keeps the district with a familiar vendor while the administration said it will continue monitoring performance and, if warranted, consider future procurement options.
