School Committee Authorizes Backup Bus Contract as Transportation Provider Falls Four Routes Short

MARLBOROUGH -- November 14, 2023, Marlborough School Committee calls transportation provider's performance bond and authorizes emergency backup contract. The committee voted unanimously Tuesday to give Superintendent Kathleen McMorrow authority to contract with a second transportation company after primary provider NRT staffed only 29 of 33 contracted full-size bus routes, leaving the same students repeatedly arriving home up to an hour and a half late. McMorrow told the committee she has already called the performance bond and that the district's attorney has demanded a written response from NRT by Monday. The committee also voted unanimously to forward a $2 million borrowing request to the Marlborough City Council for a feasibility study at the Raymond C. Richard Elementary School, a step required under the Massachusetts School Building Authority's eligibility process following the district's 2022 Statement of Interest. Separately, the committee accepted a $75,000 federal Mass GRAD grant to hire two high school re-engagement coaches targeting roughly 60 chronically absent students at risk of dropping out, a program one member called "a great concept" but flagged as a one-year funding question.