District says 95% of 2025–26 busing finalized; board approves vendor awards and operations items

The board’s Operations Committee reported that district transportation for the 2025–26 school year is roughly 95% finalized and recommended several routine approvals to support service startup.

Committee Chair Mister Cirillo said the committee reviewed and approved the bills list, accepted Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) grant submission and entitlement funds for fiscal year 2526, and noted the district is still awaiting ESEA federal award information for Title funding. The committee confirmed a fuel service agreement with Hunterdon County, a vehicle-sales agreement with the Hunterdon County Educational Services Commission to sell 10 vehicles, and additional bus-route bids to private vendors.

Cirillo moved operations items 1 through 16 as amended. Administrators later clarified an amendment to the transportation-award line item: the correct daily rate for First Student is $5,260 and for Craft School Bus $7,600; the earlier agenda had the numbers swapped. The motion passed on roll call.

Transportation supervisor Brenda Hager received praise from the board for managing the rapid progress: arranging re-lettering and reinspection of buses, handling titles and fuel coordination with the county, and assisting in hiring drivers. Board members said they expect buses and routes to be in place for the September 4 student arrival date.

The committee also approved fund-balance appropriations for June excess revenue, reviewed out-of-district placements and vendor lists for child-study services, and encouraged continued review of proposed budget-preparation policy language before final adoption.