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District to trial EverDriven for students who fall outside bus routes
Summary
Aurora East USD 131 staff proposed a one-year trial contract with EverDriven to fill gaps in student transportation; the provider would operate without minimums, match current rates and could lower costs above a 60-student threshold. The committee agreed to start a test run while vetting the company.
Chair opened committee business and staff introduced a proposal to trial a supplemental student-transportation provider.
Gladys Delicio, a district presenter, told the committee the district already uses an alternate provider but that provider cannot meet all needs. "They're currently transporting about a 100 and between hundred and 40 and hundred and 50 students to and from school," Delicio said, explaining that ridership fluctuates daily because of McKinney‑Vento and other circumstances.
Delicio said the proposed vendor, EverDriven, would operate on a one‑year trial with no minimum-trip guarantee, would match the district's current per-trip rates and could reduce its rate if the district sends more than about 60 students. She also said EverDriven is local and does work for nearby districts, and that staff contacted West Chicago and Plainfield for references.
Board members asked about vetting and about vehicle types. A committee member suggested asking the company about electric or hybrid vehicles; Delicio said she would make a note to ask EverDriven about electric options. Members pressed that the district should still attempt to place students on regular school buses first and use the contractor only when geography or case circumstances preclude bus service.
The committee signaled consensus to begin a test run and route some trips to EverDriven while staff completes vetting and gathers reference information. Staff said the trial will be used to evaluate whether to include the vendor in the next contracted provider selection when the district issues its full RFP in about two years.
Next steps: staff will continue reference checks, try the trial this summer (including for summer-school students), report operational outcomes and return to the board with recommendations before the formal contracting decision.
