That GoldStar Transit received no opposition to renewal of its annual contract was in itself enough to garner the support Monday of the Burleson ISD school board, Trustee Beverly Volkman Powell alluded.
"It says a lot that our [school trustees meeting] audience is no longer populated with school bus drivers," Powell said.
A year ago, when the Burleson ISD was considering transportation vendors, the audience at several summer meetings included numerous drivers, many who plead for a change in vendor. That lead to the selection of GoldStar.
"One of the biggest things we enjoy is [GoldStar's] attentiveness to our needs," said Brenda Mize, BISD's chief financial officer. "They want our children to arrive safely. Safety is a priority to them."
The transitional process to GoldStar may have had a few early bumps, Superintendent Bret Jimerson said.
"It is how they responded to our customers that has really made a difference," Jimerson said, noting his pleasure with GoldStar and recommending approval of the contract extension.
GoldStar inked a five-year deal with BISD in 2015-16, a contract renewable annually. The 2016-17 renewal includes a .06 percent cost increase, with potential for and discussion of routes and stops that might be added based on student transportation requests. Upon selection of GoldStar as the transportation vendor, service began with new buses that include air conditioning and heating.
Trustees supported the contract renewal by a 7-0 vote.
Parents have routinely offered "unsolicited support" of GoldStar when speaking with Jimerson in public settings, the superintendent said. He also heard from drivers.
"They could not say enough good things [of GoldStar]," Jimerson said of both.
Top ranking school officials like Mize praise GoldStar, because of their "top-down" management approach to successful outcomes.
"We have appreciation for the effort they have made to meet our needs," Mize said.
Burleson ISD families can click HERE for bus stop information and can call Goldstar at 817-245-1180. Route information, bus rules and transportation request forms may be found HERE through the transportation link for parents and students.
In addition to Burleson, GoldStar services school transportation needs in the North Texas communities of Boyd, Eagle Mountain-Saginaw, Little Elm and Terrell.