HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The USD 308 Hutchinson School Board awarded the district’s busing contract to Durham School Services during its meeting Monday evening.

Durham is the current bus service provider for the district. Bids opened March 20. Durham’s bid for the five-year contract was the lowest of three received. The two other bidders were Apple Bus and First Student.

In all three cases, prices have increased. Durham’s is 17.92% higher than the current contract while Apple was 25% higher. First Student was 50.34% higher.

The district uses busing primarily for students with special needs; elementary students who live east of K-61; shuttle service between the middle schools; and for activities, sports and field trips.

Monday’s meeting was held at the MidTown Center. Board members took a tour of the facility, which is undergoing renovations so it can be an alternative learning environment for some of the district’s middle school students. The facility is across the street from Hutchinson Middle School – 7.

The facility also will be available to the district as a location for staff training. The district purchased the MidTown Center from the Hutchinson Town Club after the Town Club voted to close last fall.

On the Personnel Report for the meeting, two assistant coaches were promoted to head coaches for the 2019-20 school year.

Conor Reilly will take over as head girls basketball coach at Hutchinson High School. Reilly has been an assistant coach for the program. Current coach Casey Stiggins decided not to continue as head coach for 2019-20.

Jose Garcia will be the head coach of the HHS wrestling program, having served as an assistant coach. The new head coach takes over for Mike Garcia (no relation), who is retiring after the 2018-19 school year.