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Board approves four‑year pupil transportation contract with First Student
Summary
The Battle Ground School District board approved a four‑year (plus one optional year) cooperative pupil transportation contract with First Student after staff described negotiations that reduced projected combined cost increases and secured operational concessions, passing the motion 5–0.
The Battle Ground School District Board of Directors voted to award the district's pupil transportation cooperative contract to First Student after staff described a competitive RFP process and follow‑up negotiations that reduced projected cost increases.
Michelle Scott, presenting the recommendation, said the district ran a cooperative RFP with one neighboring district, received three proposals and that “First Student was selected as the apparent successful bidder” because it had the most favorable score and lowest cost. Scott said the contract term is four years with an optional fifth year, and that the evaluation committee included five district employees from both participating districts.
Scott and a negotiator described changes made during post‑proposal negotiations to mitigate cost growth: reducing spare buses to an industry standard of 10 percent, agreeing to eliminate two contractor positions (an unfilled office staff position and a trainer), and capping annual contract increases at 3.5 percent. Staff also said First Student increased annual scholarship funding for both districts from $10,000 to $20,000 to help offset student trip costs.
On projected costs, presenters said the combined cost increase for the two cooperating districts for 2026–27 had been estimated at about $4.93 million before negotiations and fell to about $4.14 million after negotiations — a reduction of roughly $790,000. The transcript included a statement about the district's share for 2026–27 that was not clearly reported; staff materials should be consulted for the final district‑level fiscal impact.
Director Lori Sibley moved to approve the contract “as presented.” Student representatives advised in favor, and the board approved the motion 5–0. Michelle Scott thanked Darcy Speakerman, the district purchasing agent, as part of the presentation.
The contract award is recorded as a formal action by the board; district staff will finalize contract documents and implement the vendor transition under the terms described during the meeting.
