Helix board approves 10‑year Mid‑Columbia Bus contract with 11.7% increase

The Helix School Board on April 8 approved a 10‑year contract with Mid‑Columbia Bus that the company said will include an 11.7% rate increase and a dedicated activity bus wrapped for Helix. The board voted to authorize the multi‑year agreement after a presentation by Brian Johnson of Mid‑Columbia Bus.

Johnson told the board the long‑term deal would lock the district into an arrangement that increases costs only by the consumer price index rather than ad‑hoc rate hikes and would let the company and district plan for vehicle replacement. He also described two operational additions: a dedicated activity bus for Helix and an expansion of dash‑cam installs so drivers receive daily safety reports.

The board’s motion to approve the contract was made by Larry Parker and seconded by Bobby Corey; the motion carried as recorded in the minutes. The written meeting record shows the motion carried with the board voting in favor and one absence.

Superintendent Brad Bixler and board members asked about contract length and budget implications; Mid‑Columbia Bus responded that a long contract gives predictable annual CPI adjustments and supports coordinated vehicle replacement schedules. The board did not place additional conditions on the agreement during the meeting.

Next steps: the district will finalize contract paperwork with Mid‑Columbia Bus and the company will proceed with the service changes described to the board.