Mitchell School Board Approves Agreement For Bus Services With Foreman Sales And Services

The Mitchell School Board met in person yesterday after the school district’s mask mandate was lifted.

The board approved a five-year agreement with Hard Drive Central to provide copier services for K-14.

The board also approved a five-year agreement for bus transportation services with Foreman Sales and Services. The contract is nearly identical to the current contract, which would have expired at the end of the next school year. Between 250 and 300 students in the district ride the bus on seven different routes.  The rates are as follows:

2021-22: regular routes cost per mile, $3.20; field trip shuttle, $57; yellow activity cost per mile, $3.15; charter cost per mile, $3.31 and drive down time of over four hours, $12.32.

2022-23: regular routes cost per mile, $3.30; field trip shuttle, $58.71; yellow activity cost per mile, $3.20; charter cost per mile, $3.36 and drive down time of over four hours, $12.69.

2023-24: regular routes cost per mile, $3.40; field trip shuttle, $60.47; yellow activity cost per mile, $3.25; charter cost per mile, $3.41 and drive down time of over four hours, $13.07.

2024-25: regular routes cost per mile, $3.50; field trip shuttle, $62.28; yellow activity cost per mile, $3.30; charter cost per mile, $3.46 and drive down time of over four hours, $13.46.

2025-26: regular routes cost per mile, $3.60; field trip shuttle, $64.15; yellow activity cost per mile, $3.35; charter cost per mile, $3.52 and drive down time of over four hours, $13.86.

The contract also lists $2.60 per gallon in fuel cost as the benchmark.

During the public commentary portion of the meeting, Superintendent Joe Graves was asked if COVID-19 vaccinations would be required for students returning to school next year.  He replied that the Council of School Attorneys has been discussing the topic, and that there has been disagreement over whether a school district could even legally do so.  The council added that school districts should not pass vaccination rules.  He added that it is a state function, and Graves said he can’t see that as something the state would be taking on.  In a Tuesday email to local media, Graves said the South Dakota Department of Education announced late yesterday that COVID vaccination would not be added to the list of required immunizations for school enrollment.