Smithfield school committee approves two‑year transportation contract extension to retain local drivers

The Smithfield School Committee voted 4–1 on January 22 to approve a two‑year extension of the district's student transportation contract, following a presentation that warned going out to bid could raise costs and disrupt service.

The superintendent recommended the extension, saying the district faces rising bids as more bus companies become unionized and add benefits. “I’m recommending that we move forward on a two‑year extension,” the superintendent said, arguing it preserves continuity for students and keeps the existing drivers, most of whom live in town.

Administrators told the committee the recommended contract increase is 10.5% for year one and 12.5% for year two. They said the primary cost drivers are wage increases, health insurance and the move by several companies into the team pension fund. A public questioner, Ian Mlan of 22 Highbe Drive, asked whether a new, non‑union company would inherit union costs; administrators replied that the largest drivers were “the wage increase of 30%, comprehensive health care premiums and the entry into the team's pension fund.”

Committee members discussed the tradeoffs of issuing a request for proposals (RFP) now versus extending the current contract. Officials cautioned that an RFP could lengthen timelines and produce higher bids; one presenter noted that about 95% of drivers and monitors live in Smithfield and that retaining the current vendor would avoid interruption of service.

The motion to approve the extension was moved and seconded; recorded votes were not paired with individual names in the transcript, but the chair announced the motion carried on a four‑to‑one vote.

Next steps: with the extension approved, staff will proceed to finalize contract paperwork; the committee flagged that it may revisit contracting strategy before the extension ends to seek multi‑district RFP coordination in two years.

(Committee action: motion approved 4–1.)