Hill City board approves two-year student transportation contract with Superior Transportation Services

The Hill City School Board voted July 29 to approve a two-year student transportation services agreement with Superior Transportation Services, Inc., authorizing the provider to operate regular, special‑needs and supplemental routes for the district beginning with the 2026–27 school year. The motion to approve was made by Sarah Kingsley and seconded by Haley Wentz; the minutes record the motion as passed (yea: 6, nay: 0). "Motion to approve," the record states, as moved by Sarah Kingsley.

The contract text entered into the record sets the contract term from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, and requires the contractor to supply buses and personnel for regular routes, special education transport (including IEP‑required services), and extracurricular trips. Key commercial and operational terms include ten monthly payments for regular route services (September–June), a fuel‑price adjustment (index diesel $4.00/gal; unleaded $3.25/gal), and a District lease of its bus garage to the contractor for $250 per month in lieu of utilities and minor repairs. The agreement requires onboard cameras, wheelchair lifts and securement, compatible two‑way radios, a majority of daily buses with at least 77‑passenger capacity, and vehicle age/mileage limits.

Insurance minimums in the contract are set at $1,000,000 combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage and a $2,000,000 umbrella policy. The contractor must submit an Annual Service Plan by Aug. 10 each contract year (routes, driver lists, student rosters, equipment inventory and insurance). The District waived performance‑security requirements for the term but reserved the right to require a bond or letter of credit later if circumstances warrant. The agreement also includes liquidated‑damage provisions tied to operational failures and non‑compliance.