School committee awards five-year student transportation contract to First Student

The Lincoln School Committee voted to award a five-year student transportation services contract to First Student for the term 07/01/2026 through 06/30/2031. The committee approved the motion during its meeting after hearing that transportation bids from multiple vendors came in “significantly higher” than the district had budgeted.

Chair said the district bid jointly with neighboring Smithfield to seek economies of scale and that even the lowest bid exceeded the amount the district had planned. Dr. McNamara said he was “pleased with the number that 1st student came back with in the long term over the 5 year, it was a more advantageous deal,” and staff said anticipated savings appear in contract years four and five. Committee members were told staff will bring recommended reconciliations to the June budget review and the FTM.

Committee members asked about contract provisions for fuel-price changes and route efficiencies. The Chair noted the district participated in a transportation-efficiency study sponsored by the Rhode Island Department of Education and that several recommendations have been folded into the transportation policy, including reducing the number of bus stops and routes. The Chair also said a ridership survey will be used to identify who plans to use district transportation and that “Policy will allow the school district to, remove, riders” who indicate they will not ride and then do not use the service.

A motion to approve the award was moved and seconded; the committee recorded unanimous voice approval ('Aye') and the motion carried. The record does not include a roll-call tally of individual votes.