The board voted Feb. 20 to extend its existing student transportation contract with Durham School Transportation for one additional year rather than immediately re‑bidding services.

Administrators told the board that the current contract was a three‑year agreement with two optional one‑year renewals and that Durham had signaled interest in discussing higher driver compensation. Director of Schools Grant Swallows said the district is contractually bound to current rates that include built‑in annual increases and that either option — extending or rebidding now — has operational tradeoffs.

Swallows noted potential contract items the district might revise in a future RFP, including central fueling and vehicle‑age standards, but also cautioned that rebidding now could produce unpredictable costs and that transitioning vendors quickly would be challenging. Board members raised concerns about driver pay and the local market for vendors; one board member said, “I do not like gambling… with the economy.”

Motion by Mr. Johnson, second by Mr. Judkins, to extend the contract for one year carried on a voice vote with no recorded opposition. Administrators said they will bring a draft RFP and recommended contract language to a future workshop and will use the one‑year extension to prepare competitive language and assess options.