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Johnstown board approves five‑year bus contract after clarifying route language
Summary
The Johnstown‑Monroe Board of Education approved a five‑year contract with Community Bus Services, effective July 1, 2026, after questions about undefined route numbering prompted board members to request the contract reference 10 in‑district routes and regular performance reports.
The Johnstown‑Monroe Board of Education voted to approve a five‑year transportation contract with Community Bus Services that will run July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031. Board members said the contract follows a year‑long collaborative study and includes updated performance metrics and background‑screening requirements.
District staff described the collaborative study led by transportation consultant Pete Japixie as a comparative cost analysis and performance review of vendorized transportation. "Our work actually started in November," said Derek Boozenberg, a district staff member leading the presentation, who recommended the five‑year agreement after reviewing costs and contract language and noting CBS's recent investments in routing software, stop‑arm cameras and a parent 'stopfinder' app.
Board discussion focused on one contract clause that lists "bus routes one through eight, 10 and 11" as the core service. A board member noted that the numbered routes are not defined in the contract and urged either attaching a route map addendum or replacing the phrasing with a clear count of in‑district routes. Staff said in‑district routes change year‑to‑year based on family opt‑in patterns and proposed using a plain definition of "10 in‑district routes" rather than hardcoded route numbers; routes and pickup maps are expected to be finalized in early fall and are typically approved by the board by Sept. 30.
Board members also asked for early performance data once service begins. Staff agreed to provide the initial quarterly performance reports to the board and to continue quarterly meetings to monitor metrics outlined in the contract. The presentation noted the district's average per‑pupil transportation costs are in line with comparable Ohio districts and that CBS met background‑screening and employment‑condition requirements.
The resolution to approve the five‑year CBS contract was moved and passed by roll call. The vote was recorded as unanimous among members present (Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Benton, Mrs. Davis, Mr. Cppel, Mr. Frasier). The board instructed staff to finalize contract language to clarify route obligations and to return with performance reports after the new school year begins.
What happens next: the contract goes into effect July 1, 2026. Staff said they will return to the board with route maps after the district's opt‑in period and with the first performance reports in the early months of the 2026–27 school year.
