Beaver Dam board approves Go Rightway transportation contract after RFP; administration cites lower first‑year budget impact

Beaver Dam Unified School District administrators recommended the board award the transportation services contract to Go Rightway and the board approved the contract in a roll‑call vote.

Administration told the board the RFP, issued March 17, drew three proposals; two firms were interviewed and staff recommended Go Rightway on price and fleet replacement. "I am recommending that we contract with Go Rightway," said Ryan, who presented the RFP timeline and the staff recommendation. He reported that First Student's proposal would translate to an estimated 24.5% increase in year one (about $400,000 on the district's numbers), while Go Rightway proposed roughly a 10% increase in year one. Administration characterized the net budget implication of the recommended award as materially lower than the incumbent option.

Ryan also summarized fleet commitments: First Student committed to seven new buses in year one and a smaller multi‑year replacement plan; Go Rightway proposed a larger initial replacement (14 new buses and nine new vans in year one) that staff said would substantially modernize the fleet sooner.

Board members asked about drivers and employee transitions. Administration said Go Rightway intends to interview current staff and "hire everyone back" who wants to return, keeping pay and benefits "the same or comparable" to the extent possible. On fuel‑price protections, presenters said the contract includes a clause that splits fuel costs over $5 per gallon 50/50 between the district and contractor.

A motion to approve a three‑year contract with an option to extend two additional years passed on a roll‑call vote with all members voting in favor.

Next steps: administration will finalize the contract documents and implement the transition plan with the contractor for the upcoming school year.