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Pleasant Valley approves five‑year transportation agreement with Durham School Services
Summary
The board approved a five‑year contract (2026–2031) with Durham School Services that increases first‑year costs about 13.8% for staffing, new radios and replacement buses and then moves to smaller annual increases; contract includes seven Type‑D replacement buses and provisions on fleet age and service flexibility.
The Pleasant Valley Community School District board approved a five‑year transportation agreement with Durham School Services on terms described by district staff and Durham representatives.
Staff explained the contract is an extension of the district’s long‑standing relationship with Durham and will include a one‑time higher increase in year one (about 13.8 percent) to cover an additional supervisor position in the Durham office, driver wage adjustments, replacement radios to improve communications and seven replacement Type‑D buses. After the first year the contract sets smaller annual adjustments (roughly 3–5 percent per year in subsequent years).
District staff stressed the need for reliable dispatch and supervisory coverage; the added supervisor is intended to reduce single‑point staffing pressure in the vendor’s local office. The contract includes equipment and fleet provisions intended to keep the average fleet age within specified limits and to require replacement of buses that exceed stated age thresholds.
Board members asked about service levels, route counts and late‑run activity buses. Staff said activity and junior‑high routes tend to be the longest runs and that Durham performs route counts and adjusts routes when ridership changes; the contract provides flexibility to add or remove routes as enrollment shifts.
The board approved the five‑year agreement by roll call. District staff said the contract can be terminated with advanced notice and that the district retains options to revisit service delivery if needs or costs change.
Next steps: staff will execute the agreement with Durham and monitor operations and route performance under the new terms; the board asked for periodic updates on service delivery and fleet condition.
