A consultant retained by East Ramapo Central School District told the board Monday the failed 2025–26 transportation startup was the result of systemic problems, not a single event, and the district is taking structural steps to prevent future service disruptions.

“Data systems were incomplete, inaccurate, and outdated,” Mr. Stark, the transportation presenter, said, summarizing Ammon Consulting Group’s initial assessment. He said the department’s structure had not kept pace with the district’s “unusually large and complex” needs and that the consultant recommended that district staff focus on planning, oversight and management of public‑school transportation while nonpublic transportation management be transitioned to a contracted management services model.

Board members pressed administration about contracts that were listed with a September 1 start date even though they were signed later. A trustee asked why contract numbers were missing; administration said one contract reimbursed parents for mileage and two others paid for additional routes added to address long runs and late arrivals. “These are routes that are needed to transport our children,” a transportation official said.

Trustees also asked about vehicle inspections and how the district would verify contractors’ fleets. Administration said the contract addenda require contractors to submit monthly Department of Transportation safety‑rating reports and a list of the buses they will use; a district safety inspector can be assigned to spot‑check contractors and the addendum allows termination if a contractor’s safety rating is unsatisfactory.

Several trustees questioned why the board needed an amendment to an award for a vendor identified as Omar. District staff said a reanalysis discovered an earlier bid‑evaluation error and concluded Omar was the lowest responsible bidder; the amendment adds reporting and cancellation safeguards the district did not have previously.

The board moved action items for approval later in the meeting that included transportation contract amendments. The motion to approve action items with the certificated personnel addition carried after a second. The record shows trustees will review the consultant’s third report at the facilities and transportation committee meeting and that administration will provide the report to trustees prior to that meeting.