Board approves new contracts with Bond Transportation and Fishing Creek

The Southern Columbia Area School District board on May 11 approved new transportation contracts with Bond Transportation and Fishing Creek Transportation in a single block motion.

A staff member identified in the meeting as Joe introduced the contracts and noted representatives from both firms were in the room. “Both Matt Bond and Fred Bennett are here with us tonight,” the staff member said, identifying the contractors’ representatives. The board then moved to approve items A and B under the fiscal agenda; the motion was made by Jim and seconded by Cindy and carried by voice vote.

Board members thanked staff and community members for months of work and outreach during the negotiation. One director said parents should watch district email over the summer for outreach from Heather, the district’s new transportation coordinator, who may be contacting families about routing and roster details. Board members cautioned that routes, drivers and student assignments may change with the transition to the new contractors but said they hoped to retain familiar drivers where possible.

Representatives from the two vendors told the board they appreciated the negotiation process and looked forward to serving the district. The administration said it will coordinate with the contractors on driver onboarding and asked families to respond promptly to summer requests for information to help finalize routes.

The board did not record an itemized roll-call vote in the public transcript; the motion was resolved by voice vote and entered as approved.