The Prior Lake-Savage Area School Board voted to approve a five-year transportation contract with Prior Lake School Bus Association (PLSBA) during its June 8 board meeting.

Executive Director of Business Services Lisa Rider had shared details of the proposed contract during the previous school board study session. This contract will be good for five years, with the option to negotiate future rates without the need of to do another RFP (Request for Proposals) as the contract nears its end date.

Rider, Director of Student Services Michelle Cuka and Director of Operational Services Dan Powers worked extensively with representatives from the bus association to create the updated transportation contract. Rider described the process as meaningful and PLSBA Supervisor Geri Berens said she appreciated the efforts of district representatives for the open communication that took place during contract negotiations.

Rider explained that there was a great deal of dialogue between the district and PLSBA representatives about past issues and possible solutions. The group started with the master transportation contract provided by the Minnesota Department of Education. They then added requirements from the district’s request for proposals as well as the current contract with PLSBA. The end result, she said, is an agreement they believe will meet the needs of both parties.

It was noted that the contract states that PLSBA requires the district to make any inclement weather day decisions by 5 a.m. Board member Mary Frantz said she hoped district families will understand this when they receive early morning announcements or when the weather changes later in the day. Rider said many districts are moving toward the goal of making weather decisions the night before, and PLSAS will do that as well, when possible.

There was also a question about when district buses would have cameras installed. Rider said that district vans currently have cameras, which will have audio added this year. The district’s buses will have cameras installed on a rolling basis over the next four years.

The board also voted to approve the district’s five-year contract with Collaborative Student Transportation (CST). Rider explained that there are times when student transportation requirements come up that PLSBA is not able to accommodate. Examples of such needs are students who move out of their home or become homeless, students who are in care or treatment facilities and special education students with specific transportation requirements.

CST is able to assist in meeting those specific student transportation needs. The company works with several districts in the area and has had a contract with PLSAS in the past.

The school board voted 7-0 to approve both the PLSBA and the CST contracts.