Ware School Committee Accepts Three-Year Bus Contract, Saves $100,000 Over Estimate

School Committee · Meeting of May 21, 2026

Ware School Committee awards three-year bus contract and raises student activity fund limit. The committee voted unanimously Wednesday to accept a joint transportation contract with First Student, covering July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029, in partnership with Belchertown and Granby — coming in at least $100,000 below the district's projected high-end estimate, according to Finance Director Andy Paquette. The committee also unanimously raised the high school student activity checking account threshold from $7,000 to $10,000 at the recommendation of student activity bookkeeper Karen Quinn, who cited rising costs around prom and senior events.

Superintendent Coleman told the board that western Massachusetts superintendents met last week with new Secretary of Education Dr. Zreich, with rural aid — currently budgeted at $12 million statewide against a recommended $60 million — as the top concern; Ware sits just above the population-density cutoff to qualify. Three collective-bargaining agreements covering paraprofessionals, custodians, and secretaries were discussed in executive session and are set for a formal vote at a special Zoom meeting June 3 at 5 p.m.

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Source: the School Committee meeting of May 21, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.