NORTH SMITHFIELD – Members of the School Committee have unanimously approved a two year extension to the district’s transportation contract with bus company DATTCO, passing an agreement that includes a five percent increase on most routes and services through June of 2028.
The contract was highly recommended by district administrators, who noted it came as a result of negotiations with the vendor.
“The proposal you have here is probably one of the best two year rates anywhere in the state,” said Supt. Michael St Jean. “Pretty much every transportation contract in the state is coming in with a double digit increase. That’s not what we’re doing.”
According to the agreement approved at the school board’s last meeting, two areas will have increases above the standard five percent: bus monitors and aides, as well as transportation for field trips, athletic games and late buses.
The greatest jump comes in the category of bus monitors, who will cost $45 per run effective July 1, up from $27.65 in the current school year, a 62.75 percent increase. The cost will rise another 11.11 percent the following year to $50 per run.
“DATTCO initially proposed a rate of $51.00 per run,” notes a memorandum from the business office in support of the extension. “Monitors have traditionally covered elementary routes only.”
Aides will increase from $30.98 in the current year to $36 per hour in the first year of the contract, and $40 per hour in the second year.
For regular routes. the cost of 13 busses will be $468.77 in year one and $493.26 in year two.
“Based on DATTCO’s continued performance and reliability as the district’s transportation provider, the administration recommends approval of the proposed extension,” the memorandum states. “This extension provides cost predictability, market-aligned rates, and continuity of service for the district’s transportation operations.”
School Committee member William Connell thanked the group for their work.
“I want to commend our administrative team on this,” Connell said. “All we hear is horror stories of how things are escalating in terms of cost and I think the move of getting it done sooner rather than later is a really good move on our part.”
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Did you actually go to any school board meetings? Did you speak out publicly about your concerns at a town council meeting?
We all know who “Dave A” really is. And he only attends town council meetings. Not school committee meetings.
I have many questions. First did the current contract have any remaining extensions. Second the comment this is the best rates anywhere in the state is antidotal at best and no city or town is going to accept double digit increases except fiscally irresponsible people. The increases proposed are absurd. Why not bid the contract to put pressure on the contractor to bid a more realistic price. This contract proves that the current school committee and superintendent have zero concern for the taxpayer or fiscal responsibility and are lazy not to bid the contract to explore all options. Please keep in mind this large increase when negotiating the teachers contract because the teachers need to absorb the large busing increase. The school department needs to stop thinking that the taxpayers will keep absorbing fiscally irresponsible school spending.