School board approves four-year bus contracts and plans to absorb five routes, citing $193,455 savings

The Franklin County Community School Corporation board voted April 13 to approve bus route contracts covering the 2027–2031 school years and to absorb five routes into district operations, a move officials said will save the district money while adding operational responsibilities.

Miss McCoy, who led the transportation bid process for the district, told the board the district reduced contract days from 181 to 175 and expects per-day savings of $1,105.46. She said absorbing five routes will require hiring five new bus drivers at an estimated combined daily cost of about $670 for morning and afternoon runs but still projects a net annual savings of $193,455.50 for a 175-day year.

“We decided to go with 175,” Miss McCoy said, and described the savings calculations and route-absorption plan that underlie the recommendation. The board voted to accept the bids as presented.

Superintendent Dustin Garring and board members thanked the transportation committee and bidders for working through changes to the routing and contract structure. Garring noted the board and staff had worked with contractors and committee members through negotiations and recommended approval so the district can move forward with the planned driver recruitment and contract execution.

Board members asked questions about the contractor selection process and the staffing implications of absorbing routes; Miss McCoy and Garring said the district has factored driver pay and scheduling into the calculation and will bring the handbook and contractor specifics back as needed.

The board approved the motion by voice vote with an announced tally of 6–0 in favor.

Next steps: the district will sign the contracts as presented, recruit drivers to cover absorbed routes and implement the new route-day structure for the 2027–28 school year.