Board awards five‑year transportation contract to M&J after competitive bids

Christine, the district’s business manager, presented the results of a competitive procurement for student transportation and explained the district received bids from the incumbent, Dattco, and a regional operator, M&J. Christine said M&J’s proposal was substantially lower across multi‑year pricing and that staff negotiated last‑best offers to reduce costs further.

“M&J gave us a better cost significantly less than Dattco,” Christine said as she reviewed per‑bus daily rates, athletic trip minimums and embedded overtime changes in the new contract. She noted the board’s bid requirements included safety provisions: newer‑bus age limits, a dedicated manager, two spare buses on district property for immediate substitution, and contractual communications requirements.

Board members pressed staff about driver continuity and legal history; Christine reported Dattco had more open lawsuits in her check than M&J and said the administration checked safety and accident records as part of the evaluation. The board also discussed the state’s 2030 target for electric buses and the practical limits for small, rural districts given current charging infrastructure and range limits.

After discussion the board voted to award M&J Corporation the East Haddam Public Schools transportation contract beginning July 1, 2026 and expiring June 30, 2031. The motion carried in open session.

What happens next: administration will finalize contract language and incorporate the safety and spare‑bus terms discussed during the procurement and notify families of any operational changes before the new contract starts.