Vendor says it can cut Crete‑Monee special‑education transportation costs by about 31%

Kyle Riley, representing Strive for Greatness Transportation, told the Crete‑Monee CUSD 201U board during public comment that his company can reduce the district’s special‑education and McKinney‑Vento transportation costs by roughly 31 percent while maintaining safety and reliability.

Riley said SFG’s proposal replaces mileage and fuel surcharges with a flat‑rate price structure. “Based on those figures, our proposed rates reflect the reduction of approximately 31% on those routes while eliminating mileage charges and fuel search charge,” he told trustees, and provided board members with a comparison rate sheet obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request.

The vendor said SFG already provides transportation for neighboring districts and highlighted a record of “no incidents, no accidents” with District 149. He described operational practices intended to reduce service disruption, including a surge‑ready fleet, at least two standby vehicles and drivers reserved for emergencies, and investor‑backed backup vans to support rapid onboarding.

Riley asked for a follow‑up meeting with district leadership, naming Superintendent Jason and another administrator, to review the comparative rates and onboarding documentation the company submitted earlier in the year. He said SFG completed onboarding paperwork (W‑9 and certificate of insurance) when the district requested it earlier in the year.

Board members did not take action during the public‑comment period; district staff said they would follow up with the vendor to arrange a meeting and review the materials.

The board did not commit to any timetable or next step during the meeting beyond scheduling follow‑up to review the vendor’s paperwork and comparative pricing.