Community Update: Transportation Study for Uxbridge Public Schools

Dear Uxbridge Families and Community Members:

I am writing to share information about a project the district is undertaking over the coming months: a comprehensive Transportation Competitiveness Assessment, to be conducted by an independent consulting firm, Ammon Consulting Group (ACG).

Why We're Doing This

Transportation is one of the largest line items in our operating budget outside of salaries and benefits, and UPS has not had an independent, data-driven review of our transportation costs, routing efficiency, or contract terms in recent memory. This study will give us an objective baseline as we approach our next transportation contract cycle, and it will directly inform ongoing conversations about bell times and schedules across Taft Early Learning Center, Whitin Intermediate School, Uxbridge High School, and the Independence Project (18-22 year old program).

What the Study Will Cover

• A full baseline review of our current transportation system: cost, routing design, and performance
• A detailed assessment of bus stop placement, route efficiency, and special education inclusion busing
• A review of our current contract and prior Request for Proposals (RFP) language
• Development of options for the district to consider, including changes to bell times, routing practices, and eligibility
• A full 10-year cost comparison between our current contracted model and a district-operated ("insourced") transportation model
• A working session with district stakeholders to review findings, followed by a written report

Who's Doing the Work

The ACG team includes Tim Ammon, Dr. Ross Haber, and Tom Platt, who together bring decades of experience in school transportation cost management, routing analysis, and organizational design.

Timeline

Work will begin approximately mid-August, with a draft report expected roughly 90 days after that. The consulting team will conduct one on-site visit to Uxbridge, with the remainder of the work and review sessions held virtually.

How You Can Be Involved

I am committed to running this project with as much community input as possible. I am looking for parents/guardians, staff, and other community members who ride, rely on, or are simply interested in our transportation program to share their perspective as this work moves forward, whether that means participating in an input session, responding to a short survey, or simply staying informed as the study progresses.

If you're interested in being involved, please fill out this short interest form: [CLICK FORM LINK HERE].  Your response is requested by Friday, July 31st at 5:00 P.M.

I'll continue to share updates with the community as the project progresses. Thank you, as always, for your engagement in our schools.

Dave Ljungberg, Superintendent

Uxbridge Public Schools