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Granby approves three-year bus contract with First Student; district expects modest budget impact
Summary
The school committee approved a three-year transportation contract with First Student, the sole bidder. Line items presented: seven regular routes at $665,947.80 and a late bus at $20,493; the superintendent and finance staff said the award is about 12.56% higher than the prior contract but manageable within the current budget.
The Granby School Committee voted May 26 to accept a three-year transportation contract with First Student after district staff presented bid details and budget implications.
Todd, presenting the bid breakdown, said First Student was the only company to submit a proposal for the district’s joint three-year bid (conducted with neighboring towns to improve pricing). He reported the seven regular routes at $665,947.80 and the late bus at $20,493. The presentation explained additional charges for athletic/field-trip runs are calculated from individual route prices, mileage and driver wait time. Todd said the new contract is roughly 12.56% higher than the previous three-year contract and is about $20,000 over this year’s budgeted figure, but he recommended the committee accept the contract and indicated the district could cover the difference through existing savings and line-item adjustments.
Members asked how fuel surcharges will be managed; the presenter explained the contract includes a market-based fuel surcharge (indexed to published rates) that can vary month to month, and noted the district has experienced months with both charges and credits in recent years. The committee discussed the practical effect of receiving only one bidder in the regional market and the district’s limited leverage when competition is thin.
A motion to accept the contract recommendation was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. The committee requested the administration track annual costs and fuel-surcharge impacts and report back to the finance subcommittee as appropriate.
Until signed and finalized, the contract requires standard administrative processing and a possible review of the collective (regional) bid terms prior to execution.
