Rocky Point Rejects Transportation Bids, Extends With First Student

After the Rocky Point School District opened the bidding for transportation services in March, the contracted First Student Bus Company made its voice heard with and a .

On Wednesday, the district officially rejected the transportation bid and unanimously approved a resolution to extend the contract with First Student through 2015, with a district option to extend through 2017.

The contract extension results in a total annual savings of $677,000 over 10 monthly credits. The acceptance of the resolution resulted in a round of applause from those in attendance at Wednesday's meeting.

"We're pleased to be able to extend with First Student because of our long standing relationship," Superintendent Michael Ring said, "but priority one for the board was to bring the best contract to the taxpayers, and to the citizens parents and students. So, we're happy to have a contract that reduces the cost substantially to the taxpayers."

At the previous board meeting, First Student workers packed the cafeteria and emphasized the long-standing relationship with the district and knowledge many of the drivers, who are also local residents, have of the area.

At Wednesday's meeting, the board of education unanimously adopted the proposed 2012-13 school budget and property tax report card. Stay tuned to Patch for a full story on the adopted budget later in the day.