News Photo by Julie Goldberg The Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona Educational Service District Board of Education approved to contract with Dean Transportation during its meeting on Thursday.

ALPENA — The Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona Educational Service District Board of Education approved to enter into a contract with Dean Transportation during its meeting on Thursday.

Superintendent Scott Reynolds said the decision was based on the time that was spent researching Dean Transportation. He said Dean Transportation has an impeccable track record, is responsive to student needs, has a rigorous training program, and has a core value system that aligns with the AMA ESD’s core values.

“After looking at all of those, and in addition to the fact that there’s opportunity for reimbursement for specialized transportation, and the added safety of the yellow school buses, there were a number of reasons that culminated in our decision to seek them as our service provider,” Reynolds said.

Following a discussion with Dean Transportation, it was determined that the AMA ESD has the capacity to proceed with an agreement independent with any local partners that wish to join. Reynolds said the language in the contract does afford the opportunity for the AMA ESD to take on partners through cooperative agreements. Alpena Public Schools has to approve during its board of education meeting on Monday whether to join the contract with the AMA ESD.

“That would enable Alpena Public Schools if they’re so inclined to be able to join us with that,” Reynolds said. “We would be very happy to work with them.”

If the AMA ESD does contract solely with Dean Transportation, it is anticipated that there would be increase in net costs of approximately $23,648, partly due to industry costs, wages, and health insurance adjustments.

The board terminated its contract with Thunder Bay Transportation Authority at its meeting last month and needed a transportation provider to serve students for the 2018-19 school year.

The contract is for the period of Aug. 1 to June 30, 2023. With approval of the contract on Thursday, there is time for Dean Transportation to finalize preparations in order to be ready for the first day of school on Aug. 27.

In other business:

∫ the AMA ESD awarded three students with the Aspiring Educator Scholarship: Luke Loyer of Harrisville, Andrea Taratuta of Hillman, and Emily Thatcher of Alpena.

∫ the board adopted the AMA ESD three year strategic plan.

∫ the board approved its budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year.

Julie Goldberg can be reached via email at jgoldberg@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5688.