ness, service availability, and the meeting the specific, individual needs of students via the most ap- propriate vehicle. “For special education and out-


of-district placements, we contract smaller vehicles, such as mini-bus- es, equipped with necessary accommodations,” she said. “For


general transportation we use the standard big school buses.” Keim-Bounds said in-house transportation would be “signifi- cantly more expensive due to the costs associated with purchasing and maintaining a fleet, hiring and training staff, and handling daily operations.


“By partnering with a transportation


provider, the district can allocate its resources and efforts toward other critical areas while still ensuring that students receive safe, reliable and effi- cient transportation,” she continued. Keim-Bounds added Lake Villa con- tracts with Durham School Services, a subsidiary of National Express, under a multi-year agreement to ensure stability and consistency in service. “This company specializes in


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44 School Transportation News • APRIL 2025


student transportation and pro- vides buses for daily routes, special education transportation and extra- curricular trips,” she said. “They meet all state safety requirements, maintain proper insurance and ensure that all drivers are thoroughly vetted and trained. This long-term partnership allows us to maintain high service standards while fostering a reliable and efficient transportation system for our students.” She explained that two major initia-


tives for this school year result in the increased need for transportation. “Pre-K transportation presents


unique challenges, from ensuring the safety of our youngest learners to meeting state-mandated transporta- tion requirements, so we are working closely with our transportation department to address those needs effectively,” she said. The second initiative is bringing


specialized special education pro- graming back in-district, as it was previously provided by the county’s special education cooperative. “While this is a great step in en- hancing the quality of services for our students, it also means an increased demand for student transportation,” she said. “Special education transportation requires a higher level of coordina- tion, including specialized equipment, trained staff and accommodations tailored to individual student needs.” She said that Lake Villa recognizes


that transportation costs are a signifi- cant factor, and finding ways to provide safe, reliable and efficient transportation while managing costs is a challenge the district will continue to navigate.


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