Taunton Schools Open Six Transportation Bids, Refer to Administration for Review

TAUNTON — February 4, 2026 — Taunton School Committee opened six transportation bids and referred them to administration at its February 4 meeting. The Finance and Law Subcommittee, chaired by School Committee member Greg DeMello and including members Manuel Vieira and Mrs. Schiaves, received bids ranging from $67,122,850 from Bloom Bus — the apparent low bidder — to $76,919,390.30 from RG Services LLC of Middleborough; two bids from Novus Transportation Services and Brian Royce Transportation Inc. were flagged as incomplete for missing required documentation. The full committee also heard a student-led presentation from three Taunton High School students on the Barr Foundation's school reform convening in Southbridge, in which students gave direct feedback on actual classroom lessons alongside teachers and administrators. Superintendent John Cabral previewed a preliminary FY27 budget showing Taunton absorbing a roughly $1.1 million reduction in Chapter 70 aid tied to a 93-student enrollment decline, while the district's overall foundation budget is still projected to increase by approximately $7 million. The subcommittee also voted unanimously to ask the City Council and city treasurer to consider replacing fixed P-card meal allowances with federal per diem rates that adjust by geographic location.