Trustees Approve Bus Contract Extension
The Huntington Coach Corp. has been transporting Huntington School District students for more than 50 years. It will continue to do so for at least two more years after Huntington School Board members approved a contract extension that covers the 2011/12 and 2012/13 school years.
Contract prices will increase by one-half of the rise in the applicable Consumer Price Index in the first year of the new contract. Prices will increase by the full CPI in the second year of the two year deal. The contract prices cover buses, vans and field trip and athletic team transportation.
"We at Huntington Coach are certainly aware that the economy and State finances have created a very difficult financial situation for the district," wrote Huntington Coach President Kevin J. Clifford in a letter to the district. "We also know that the near future doesn't look much more promising than today. We want you to know that we consider ourselves an integral part of the Huntington family, and as such, we consider it our responsibility to do whatever we can feasibly do to help get the district through these difficult economic times, and continue to provide stability in the transportation function of the district."
The district spent $8,097,427 on contract transportation during the 2008/09 school year. That figure jumped to $8,130,946 in 2009/10 and is budgeted for $8,608,336 this year. The draft budget for 2011/12 allocates $8,821,776 for contract transportation.
"It has been our pleasure to provide safe and efficient pupil transportation for over 50 years to the children of the Huntington School District," Mr. Clifford wrote in his letter. "We look forward to our continued fine relationship in the 2011/12 school year and for years to come."