Committee told to recommend First Student contract to board to consolidate student transportation

District transportation staff told the Finance & Resource Committee that the district’s limited transportation program—driven by state two‑mile rules, McKinney‑Vento eligibility and special‑education routes—has become administratively inefficient after years of piecemeal contracting. Staff said the RFP sought to consolidate those services under a single provider to provide consistent routes, clearer billing to partner districts and known annual costs.

Staff recommended awarding a contract to First Student, noting the company already provides some services to the district. Committee discussion focused on process and timing: because the item was not an action on the committee agenda it cannot be voted there; staff proposed bringing the contract forward as a first read to the June 22 board meeting and scheduling a final board vote on July 13 (committee members discussed the alternative of a July 13 first read with a July 20 second‑meeting vote but favored the June/July sequence to allow time for public input and contract paperwork).

Staff warned that while consolidation may not produce immediate cash savings on the contract line, it will significantly reduce administrative overhead, improve parent and student consistency on routes and make it easier to bill tuitioning partner districts for shared students. Committee members asked staff to ensure the item appears on the June 22 agenda as a first read, to collect public comment, and to return with any legal or procurement constraints if discovered.

Next steps: district staff will place a first‑reading item on the June 22 board agenda and seek final approval on July 13 so the new contract can be in place for September routing.